Al Capone's autographed deposition to star at gangster auction

The 1925 deposition transcript of Al Capone features his autograph four times

A typed deposition of Al Capone's interrogation by police will star at an upcoming gangsters, outlaws and lawmen auction which closes on September 30.

Two items in the sale reveal different elements of Capone's personality

The auction will feature some of the most important memorabilia of its kind to ever come to auction, including the personal guns of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde.

However, Capone's interrogation document will undoubtedly provide one of the biggest draws. It came as a result of the police's investigation into the attempted murder of his one-time partner and former mentor, John Torrio. Dated January 24, 1925, the deposition has been signed a remarkable four times by "Alphonse Capone" and is housed in a collection of 50 pages of police interviews, testimonies and notes on the case.

The collection is considered particularly important as it documents Al Capone's rise to becoming the king of the criminal underworld. After the shooting, John Torrio fled to Italy, leaving Capone as the undisputed boss of Chicago's lucrative bootleg whisky business. An estimate has not been set by the auction house - when last sold at Christie's in 1994 the deposition realised $27,500 against an estimate of $25,000-35,000.

Interestingly, the deposition also notes that the gunmen were seen climbing into a dark coloured Cadillac. Could this be the same bullet-proof Cadillac that sold for $341,000 in July?

While the deposition may show Al Capone as a ruthless mobster, the auction's other Capone item paints a different view. While imprisoned in Alcatraz, the mob boss penned an original composition he named Madonna Mia in tribute to his wife, Mae.

Signed and inscribed to his Jesuit priest counsellor, with whom he forged a close relationship, it is the only copy of the song known to exist. The composition has been framed and is accompanied by a characteristic photograph of Capone with a cigar in his mouth.

On September 27 collectors will also be able to bid on the memorabilia collection of legendary crime fighter Eliot Ness, who played a huge role in bringing down Capone's crime syndicate.

Recent and related articles

·  Manson, Reggie Kray letters sold in UK auction | 17 August 2012

·  Eliot Ness memorabilia collection to auction with $50,000 estimate | 17 July 2012

·  Capote's In Cold Blood archive to be offered in Seattle auction | 17 July 2012

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Images: RR Auction