2153

Phillip Musica

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Phillip Musica

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Auction Date:2013 Jun 19 @ 18:00 (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
Archive of notorious swindler Phillip Musica, otherwise known as F. Donald Coster, the man behind the infamous McKesson & Robbins Scandal of 1938. Collection consists of an ALS (his suicide letter to his wife with his blood on it); a two-page handwritten manuscript outlining details of finances; his Social Security card in the name of Frank Donald Coster; a copy of Coster's will, dated March 11, 1937; a copy of December 1960 edition of "Climax" magazine; and an article from the Advocate and Greenwich Time dated September 13, 2009, entitled ‘Before There Was Madoff, There Was Musica.’

The undated suicide letter, signed “Infinite love, Your Daddy,” one page, 8.5 x 11, shows spatters of blood in the upper left corner and down the left side of the letter. Letter reads, in full (with grammar and spelling retained): “Carol my dear I love you dearly altho I may not deserve it forgive me I never meant to deceive you pride and ambition made me conceal from you my inner heart-Pride and ambition to make good also crushed me before a wicked banking system as well as "legal" and "criminal" continuous blackmail from within and without. God Bless you always could the world only know the sorrow in my heart and what the sacrifice is in leaving you and those I love-the Wall Street bankers and lawyers want my blood they shall have it. Neither John or Lenny knew what they were signing, anything I asked them to sign they did because they thought it was right and trusted me.”

The manuscript, signed "F. D. Coster," reads: "J, I am held in custody under prohibitive bail and cannot advise you—Depend on Mr. Brandon who has charge of yours and my affairs to protect your interests to limit also Mr. Rich for Connecticut matters the important matters are—1. Your house and bank accounts and Steiner Rouse account. 2. Matters of insurance which are your policies. 3. Have Brandon take care of Marie—Real Estate—cash which is hers and insurance. 4. John and Lenny. 5. My accounts with E. F. Hutton & Co. E. B. Smith & Co. should prove that any money given to John was the result of liquidation of McKesson stock. In connection with which I paid off a $200,000 loan to McKesson. The 2000 shares of McKesson stock I asked you to loan me and for which you gave me as order. I gave to Ben Slade the lawyer they should be retuned to you for what they are worth its really your money as the Jenkins account finally turned over to you when you were in Florida was a gift to you it was my money the proceeds of selling my original McKesson stock to pay off my load of 200,000 to McKesson and had some left I had to lie to the commission and public about owning 105,000 common and 13,000 preferred so as not to hurt the stock by showing the President had sold most of his stock. I sold to cover obligations at $3 to $5 when the company was fairly sound Mr. Michaels knowing there was something wrong sold out his common as fast as he could to the public.”

Also included is his Social Security card, issued on December 14, 1936; a copy of Coster’s will, signed in type, dated March 11, 1937, in which he bequeaths all of his property to his wife, Carol E. Coster; and a December 1960 issue of Climax magazine, featuring an article entitled “Coster–Musica—America’s $5,000,000 Con Artist.” In overall very good to fine condition.


In 1926, the well-respected drugmaker and distributor McKesson & Robbins was up for sale, and Musica, now known as F. Donald Coster, bought it, merging the businesses. For years, Musica/Coster made himself wealthy, buying a 28-room mansion in Fairfield, Connecticut, as well as a yacht, racing horses, and a stable of cars. Then, in 1937, McKesson ordered Coster to raise cash to build up profits and reduce outstanding debt. When he refused, the company's treasurer became suspicious, and uncovered forgeries, duplicate books, and massive fraud. In all, it is believed that Musica/Coster stole over $3 million from McKesson over the years. On December 15, 1938, with police closing in on his home in Fairfield, Phillip Musica/F. Donald Coster locked himself in bathroom and shot himself in the head.