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112

Lucky Luciano Humidor

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:35,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Lucky Luciano Humidor

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Auction Date:2012 Sep 30 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Lucky Luciano’s personally-owned and -used humidor and game stand. Game stand, most likely mahogany or black cherry, measures 15 x 25 x 14, with a hinged door on the front which opens into a copper-lined cavity. A raised metal maker’s seal affixed to the right wall reads, “Springfield Furniture Works, Inc. Mfrs. of Fine Occasional Furniture, Springfield, Ohio.” Hinged top of the game stand opens up to reveal a recessed compartment displaying a tray of 121 poker chips.

Stored within the cavity is a removable humidor. Hinged top humidor measures 11.5 x 4.5 x 8 and bears an engraved 2.25 x 1 name plate affixed to the top, “Lucky Luciano.” Inside of humidor is lined in tin with a removable dessicant in the top of the cover. Housed inside the humidor is a wooden box of imported Cuban cigars, containing six individually wrapped Belinda Habana's. The underside of the cigar box features an official Cuban government label as well as a US Customs certificate indicating entry was granted at West Palm Beach in 1931.

The humidor and stand are accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from the daughter of the man who acquired them directly from Luciano. The letter, dated March 29, 1997, reads in full: "My name is Mary Camarda, wife of Nicholas Camarda, and am currently 90 years of age. I am the daughter of Antonio Domingo who was born and raised in a coastal town in Sicily called Castellammare del Golfo, not far from Palermo. My father migrated from Sicily to the United States and like most other Sicilians, settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. From approximately the mid to late 20's until 1949 my father owned a restaurant/club at 22 Stanton street on the lower east side of Manhattan. It was here that my father catered to the many Sicilian dock workers from Brooklyn and Manhattan. He had a long standing reputation with the Longshoreman's Union that represented all of the cities' dock workers. My two brothers also worked for the Union. Before long, by word of mouth, this restaurant became somewhat of a social club for many of Sicilian descent. It was here, in the early years, that my father was acquainted and became friends with Mr. Luciano. It was through this relationship that my father acquired both cigar humidors and the remaining Belinda Cuban cigars from Mr. Luciano. Since my father's death, my husband Nick and I packed these items away in our cellar, many years ago, along with all the memories that came with them."

Humidor shows some oxidation to the interior metal panels while the exterior exhibits a few minor nicks and abrasions, otherwise both the humidor and stand are in fine condition. A spectacular personal item from the heyday of Lansky’s empire.

Provenance:
Lucky Luciano
Antonio Domingo
Mary Camarda (Domingo)
Butterfield’s
Legendary Auctions
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