Hellcatraz (Signed)
(S.l.): (S.n.), [1939]. First Edition. Black and white photographs, portraits. Wrappers. Duodecimo. 109 pages.
Roy Gardner was a gun-runner, prize-fighter, and bank and train robber. His escapes from prison earned him the nickname "King of the Escape Artists" from law enforcement. In 1934 he became one of the first hardened criminals to be imprisoned at Alcatraz, serving alongside Al Capone.
Gardner was released from Alcatraz in 1938 and sold this booklet while serving as a guide on tour boats serving the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939. This copy is inscribed by Gardner on the title page: "Sincerely yours / Roy Gardner, / August 17 1939 / Discharged upon completion / of a 25 year sentence on / June 17 1939 [lined out] 1938"
Ref. SIX-GUNS 806.
Bound in pictorial paper covers over a saddle-stapled binding. Minor extremity wear, including a small chip to lower fore corner of front cover, small chips at spine ends. Contemporaneous news clipping pasted to inside front cover. Good overall.
Item #1700
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