This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2020
[Dice – Chicago Gangster] A Massive Collection of Crooked Dice from a Prominent Chicago Mobster Family. 1930s/50s. Over 550 loaded dice, neatly organized into three contemporary trays with old labels affixed to the front flap and with snap closures. Includes “weights” (weighted dice), “tops” (mis-spotted), “shapes” (misshapen dice), matching fairs (or “fronts”), and many others. Some wrapped in foil. Sizes and shapes very. Some dice show signs of use. Includes a LOA from the previous owner (Aiello family member) detailing the provenance of the piece. Must be seen.
Provenance: From the collection of Jeff Aiello; a direct descendent of the famed organized crime and bootlegging family outfit in Chicago during the 1920s. The most notable family member being Giueseppe “Joe” Aiello, best known for his bloody feud with Al Capone. The dice were passed down from Rafael Aiello (1916–2013), a gambler in the 1940s that ran illegal gambling dens in the Bridgeport area of Chicago who also focused on country clubs to defraud the wealthy.