This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2014
Eliot Ness' rise to fame began when he was named Special Agent in charge of the U.S. Prohibition Bureau in Chicago in 1929. During the next four years his battles with the wildly flamboyant and intrinsically cruel mobster Al Capone would become the stuff of legend, and eventually lead to a successful TV Series and Motion Picture. "The Untouchables" ultimately brought down Capone's speakeasy and brewery business and collected evidence that would put the crime boss away for good in 1931 on tax evasion charges. Ness' reputation as an unimpeachable bastion of law enforcement led to a successful public career as Head of the U.S. Department of Treasury (1933-35), the City of Cleveland Safety Director (1935-41), and Director of Social Protection for the Federal Security Agency during WWII (1941-45). Eliot Ness died of a heart attack in May 1957.
Presented in this auction offering is perhaps the finest (and largest) piece of autographed Ness memorabilia to ever surface in the hobby. Featured is a 28" x 39" sepia toned portrait of Ness, taken in 1935 upon Ness' acceptance of the position as the Director of Safety for the City of Cleveland. This large and impressive image showcases Ness at his desk, and has been signed and inscribed in black steel tip pen, "To Robert H. Mayban, In appreciation of the work of your company in Safety, Eliot Ness." The photo exhibits moderately uniform wear, including an assortment of creases, staining, and tearing along the lower quadrant of the image, including a repaired tear within the signature and inscription. Never the less, the size and magnitude of the piece allow it to project a stunning appearance despite it's condition issues. Mafia and Crime collectors take notice! Housed in a beautiful wood finish frame, measuring 39" x 49" overall. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).