Leader of the notorious “enforcement” syndicate Murder, Inc, Meyer Lansky (1902–1983), the organized crime boss emerged in the early 1930s as successor to the “old-line Mafia,” going forth to operate into the 1950s. ALS signed “Shalom, Meyer,” one page, 5.5” x 9,” July 5, 1974. Letter to “Yushki.” In part: “Jack will be in your country in less than 3 wks there isn’t any use of me writing much. He will discuss all there is to say with you. A little while ago they gave me a subpoena jus[t] and hour ago all for the purpose of harassment for July 10. I’m much interested in coming back to Israel and you can see the reason why? I’m enclosing a newspaper article quoting the Circuit Court. I hope you are all well. My best to all of you.” In very good condition, with a shade of toning, three binder holes to right edge, and the newspaper article that Lansky mentions stapled to the top of reverse of page.
Lansky moved to Israel in July of 1970, whilst he was under investigation for tax evasion, and in the hopes of avoiding prosecution. Though he applied for citizenship under the Law of Return, which granted Jews the right to Israeli citizenship, he returned to Miami in November of 1972 defeated, and was immediately arrested aboard the plane. The character Hyman Roth in “The Godfather Part II,” was said to be based upon Lansky, and in this letter he is directly discussing his return to Israel, as Lansky was acquitted in 1974, the year this was penned. This correspondence is full of interesting content regarding Israel and Lansky’s personal clipping of the newspaper article about his winning the reversal of his conviction.
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