George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes | Authentic Gangster Era Signature & COA | Circa 1930's
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: United States
Material: Ink on paper, framed under glass
Period: Early 20th Century (Prohibition & Gangster Era, circa 1930s)
Description
Discover a rare and historically significant relic from America’s Prohibition and gangster era — an authenticated signature of George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes (1900–1954), one of the most infamous figures of early 20th-century organized crime. Signed in ink on paper and preserved under glass, this remarkable artifact offers collectors a genuine link to the Public Enemy era, when outlaws and FBI legends defined the American criminal landscape.
Professionally framed for preservation and display, this piece is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by a forensic document examiner, ensuring verified provenance and authenticity. It serves as both a historical document and a visually compelling showpiece.
Once a feared bootlegger, bank robber, and kidnapper, Machine Gun Kelly’s notoriety peaked with the 1933 abduction of oil magnate Charles F. Urschel — an event that led to his arrest and life sentence in Alcatraz. His name, forever tied to the Thompson submachine gun, has become synonymous with the ruthless glamour of America’s Gangster Age.
Features
- Authentic ink signature of George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes (1900–1954)
- Professionally framed for archival preservation and display
- Accompanied by forensic COA verifying authenticity
- Rare relic from the Prohibition and gangster era of American history
- Represents a tangible connection to the FBI’s early battles against organized crime
Cultural Significance
During the 1930s, the United States faced an unprecedented wave of organized crime fueled by Prohibition, bootlegging, and Depression-era desperation. Figures like Machine Gun Kelly, John Dillinger, and Al Capone became both villains and icons of defiance in the public imagination. This artifact embodies that turbulent period — a time when federal agents like J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI were shaping modern law enforcement and building legends in the process.
Condition
Excellent preservation. Signature remains bold and legible with minor age toning to the paper. Professionally mounted and framed under protective glass. Frame and backing materials remain in stable, display-ready condition.
Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 22 in
Width: 31 in
Age
Circa early 1930s
Discover More
Read from Our Blog: The Infamous “George ‘Machine-Gun’ Kelly” — A Prohibition-Era Outlaw
Learn More About Machine Gun Kelly from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The Bureau Gets the Call - George “Machine Gun” Kelly
Find Out More About His Time Spent in Alcatraz: Alcatraz History Profiles
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: United States
Material: Ink on paper, framed under glass
Period: Early 20th Century (Prohibition & Gangster Era, circa 1930s)
Description
Discover a rare and historically significant relic from America’s Prohibition and gangster era — an authenticated signature of George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes (1900–1954), one of the most infamous figures of early 20th-century organized crime. Signed in ink on paper and preserved under glass, this remarkable artifact offers collectors a genuine link to the Public Enemy era, when outlaws and FBI legends defined the American criminal landscape.
Professionally framed for preservation and display, this piece is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by a forensic document examiner, ensuring verified provenance and authenticity. It serves as both a historical document and a visually compelling showpiece.
Once a feared bootlegger, bank robber, and kidnapper, Machine Gun Kelly’s notoriety peaked with the 1933 abduction of oil magnate Charles F. Urschel — an event that led to his arrest and life sentence in Alcatraz. His name, forever tied to the Thompson submachine gun, has become synonymous with the ruthless glamour of America’s Gangster Age.
Features
- Authentic ink signature of George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes (1900–1954)
- Professionally framed for archival preservation and display
- Accompanied by forensic COA verifying authenticity
- Rare relic from the Prohibition and gangster era of American history
- Represents a tangible connection to the FBI’s early battles against organized crime
Cultural Significance
During the 1930s, the United States faced an unprecedented wave of organized crime fueled by Prohibition, bootlegging, and Depression-era desperation. Figures like Machine Gun Kelly, John Dillinger, and Al Capone became both villains and icons of defiance in the public imagination. This artifact embodies that turbulent period — a time when federal agents like J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI were shaping modern law enforcement and building legends in the process.
Condition
Excellent preservation. Signature remains bold and legible with minor age toning to the paper. Professionally mounted and framed under protective glass. Frame and backing materials remain in stable, display-ready condition.
Dimensions (approximate)
Height: 22 in
Width: 31 in
Age
Circa early 1930s
Discover More
Read from Our Blog: The Infamous “George ‘Machine-Gun’ Kelly” — A Prohibition-Era Outlaw
Learn More About Machine Gun Kelly from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The Bureau Gets the Call - George “Machine Gun” Kelly
Find Out More About His Time Spent in Alcatraz: Alcatraz History Profiles
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