OK, this may not be the right Forum, but it's hard to tell which is, so . . .

For research I'm doing, anyone know of any gangsters/criminals who had magic/mentalism or any of the allied arts as a hobby. Even an obsession with magic would be helpful. (Gamblers and con men are excluded: we're talking about real gangsters here). While I'm especially interested in the 1920's and 1930's, I'm not restricting responses to those periods.

Any assistance/direction pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
gary

That certainly must score as the most obscure and interesting question I have heard!
respects to you ...

wulfiesmith

I was a Vicelord back in the late 80's-early 90's, but I'm probably not exactly what you're looking for lol

False botton coffins spring to mind.

Cute and cuter!

And now to turn to the serious side, Paul Petrillo, he of the 1930s Phillie Poison Ring, had a fascination with magic. Your turn.

Hey, how great--a female gangster!

I know it's not Ma Barker. Can you identify her?

Mary Murphy, since you're asking.

I don't know if this is what you're looking for but Alexander...the Man Who Knows was a serious criminal.

Hitler

I know Magic Magazine ran a letter from Howard Thurston to Al Capone talking about Capone taking his son to Thurston's show and suggesting a teacher for the boy if he feels interested in magic. The editor of the article states that the "teacher" was probably going to be Harlan Tarbell.

Thurston himself was a gangster when he was younger according to the Steinmeyer book.