This collection (94 items) is primarily made up of undelivered incoming letters and greeting cards sent to Frank Costello, a New York crime boss, during his incarceration in federal correctional institutions from 1952-1953. Costello's correspondents shared their support for him, encouraged him to embrace Christianity, and requested financial assistance.
Frank Costello's incoming Correspondence (71 items), all by unauthorized correspondents, was directed to federal correctional institutions in Milan, Michigan; Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; and Atlanta, Georgia, from February 1952-October 1953. Costello received letters from around the United States and from foreign countries such as Italy, Switzerland, and Israel. Many writers offered personal or religious encouragement, some expressed their frustration with Costello's treatment, and one offered vague legal assistance. Correspondents frequently requested Costello's financial assistance and other favors, despite being strangers. For example, Eddie Bartholomay, an aspiring songwriter, sent Costello a song he intended for Frank Sinatra, with whom he believed Costello had a relationship (August 25, 1952); he sent a follow-up letter on September 9, 1952. Others asked Costello to be a pen pal, to endorse an affidavit, and to use proper grammar. Enclosures include newspaper clippings, photographs, religious tracts, and a pamphlet endorsing a universal world currency. Two letters are in Italian. The collection also contains a letter written by a warden of a prison to a warden of another prison regarding Costello's unauthorized incoming correspondence (October 15, 1952).
The Greeting Cards series (16 items) is comprised of Christmas and Easter cards that supporters sent to Costello during his incarceration.
Ephemera (7 items) includes a political poster, 2 loose newspaper clippings, a prayer card, and 3 religious pendants.
Frank Costello was born Francesco Castiglia in Lauropoli, Italy, on January 26, 1891, the son of Luigi and Maria Castiglia. He and his father moved to New York City around 1895, and the family later owned a grocery store. Francesco Castiglia changed his name to "Frank Costello" and became the leader of an Italian street gang; by the age of 20, he had been arrested twice for assault and battery. After his release from prison on a gun charge around 1913, Costello developed legitimate businesses to cover his illegal activities, which included bootlegging. He and his wife, Loretta Geigerman, were married in 1914. Costello partnered with several other organized crime bosses in the 1920s and 1930s, continuing to profit from his interests in alcohol distribution and hotel ownership. After appearing before the United States Senate Crime Investigating Committee in 1951, Costello was convicted of contempt in 1952 and imprisoned in various federal correctional facilities in 1952 and 1953. He continued to serve occasional prison sentences until his retirement around 1961, and the United States government repeatedly attempted to deport him throughout the remainder of his life. Frank Costello died in New York City on February 18, 1973.
