Bonanno on eBay...

The family of the late Mafia "Godfather" Joseph Bonanno and Going1nce Auction Management Company of Tucson, Arizona, have announced the online auction of select personal items and unique historical memorabilia from the estate of Mr. Bonanno.

Bonanno was the famed head of New York's Bonanno Crime Family beginning in the 1930I. He moved to Arizona in the 1950s. Widely acknowledged as the direct inspiration for the Godfather series of movies, Bonanno is often referred to as the "Don of Dons." He was a key figure in the modern Mafia's transition from the gangs of the Capone era to the modern Families.

Bonanno died in 2002 at the age of 97 in Arizona, and this is the only authorized sale of his personal belongings. The items, including Mr. Bonanno's clothing, jewelry, photographs and historical treasures have been offered for sale on eBay since July, 2004.

Mr. B's autobiography...

Movie based on Mr. B's life...

Publicity...

We've receivied much media attention on our eBay auctions of Joseph Bonanno memorabilia & the listing of Mr. B's home. (Some of these links may expire after a period of time.)

The first, a TV news feature with KOLD, Tucson, reporter Millie Martinez.

Article by Paul Allen, Tucson Citizen.
(See a reproduction of part of that article with photos below)

Article by Becky Pallack, Arizona Daily Star.

Associated Press article at azcentral.com.

Reuters article.

Terra Informatica, Brazil, translation of article.
(For a lover of English, as I am, this article's fractured use of the language tickles me!)

Another fun translation, this one from Spain.

And another from Yahoo Italia.

And France.

And Germany.

Various small articles from around the US and even Scotland can be found through google.com news at.

Mr. B's house listing we had on eBay in 2004 also received a bit of press, too:

Article by Becky Pallack, Arizona Daily Star:
(This article was carried by the AP and also appeared in Newsday; Dansbury, CT, New Times; Staten Island Advance; and several other papers)

Article by Dave , NY Daily News:

I received a couple emails from friends who heard Paul Harvey mention it, too!

Though the Bonanno family is perhaps familiar with such attention, this buzz is a new, but quite exciting, experience to me! (Whoda thunk that my business of selling for others as a registered eBay Trading Assistant would lead to national attention for the items of one of my clients?)

These are just a few of the Bonanno items we've sold on eBay:

Trench Coat etc. Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

Incognito Hat Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

This auction features a hat with historical significance in the life of Mr. B. This black Persian lamb fur, Russian-style hat was worn often by Mr. B for the year and a half after being released from his kidnappers and he went into hiding in the mid-1960s. Mr. B's son, Bill, referred to this as the "incognito hat" which was worn when Mr. B didn't want to be recognized during that period. It has a black flannel panel to cover the ears - this folds up inside the hat. The lining is a red satiny fabric. The hat is in nice condition, though it shows a bit of pilling and wear.

Carved Portrait Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

One of Mr. B's fellow 'guests of the government', Maurice, carved this profile portrait in 1984 when they were both in the federal penitentiary in Lexington, KY. We don't know the type of wood, nor what kind of tools Maurice used to carve this incredible piece. This has wire on the back for easy hanging, as seen in photo. This stands 16 1/2" tall, is 11" wide and 2" deep. It's in quite nice shape. Imagine hanging this on your wall next to its certificate of authenticity!

Signed Check Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

This auction features a check Mr. B wrote to his neighborhood church, St. Peter & Paul, in Tucson in 2000. The memo field notes "Donation".

Many other checks were also sold.

Horse Toy Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

Well - I actually found this little toy in Mr. B's former bedroom when I was at his home with my client! We have no idea where it came from or why, but I can verify (with 2 witnesses - 1 of whom was a reporter) that it was hanging on the back of his bedroom door. This 13" tall item has a plush horse's head atop a felt-covered handle. When you hit the horse's nose, it emits an electronic-sounding horse whinny. This certainly has to be the most unusual item from the Bonanno estate!

14K Diamond Cuff Links J Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

This was a pair of Mr. B's cufflinks in 14k white gold with appx. .40 ct tw diamonds. Each link is 1/2" in diameter with an appx. .10 ct diamond in the center. The total weight of this pair is 11.1 grams.

Signed Elks Card Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

Mr. B's BPO Elks membership card from Brooklyn, NY, Lodge No. ww - 1997-1998. Signed by him as seen in photo.

Walking Stick Joseph Bonanno Estate Mafia Godfather

This walking stick was hand-carved for Joseph Bonanno in the 1950's by Giuseppe Maggadino, a Family leader in Castallemmarese, Sicily. Maggadino was the father of Peter Maggadino, the man who accompanied Joe on his arrival in the United States after fleeing the Italian Fascists in the 1920's. This walking stick is approximately 34" long, and of 2-piece construction. The main shaft appears to be a single very lightweight but sturdy tree branch. We can't identify what kind of wood it is. The branch is very knotty and roughly-shaped, though it is sanded smooth, and finished in a medium maple-color. The handle is a peg-shaped cross-piece attached to the shaft with a simple notched joint. The shaft has a rubber foot that appears to be more modern, and the handle has signs of old adhesive at each end, probably from some kind of end cap that is no longer present.