Al Capone's Chicago Era Antique Spanish Revival Walnut and Burlwood 78" Sideboard - 1920s

Description

This fine Spanish Revival walnut and burlwood buffet with paint and gold highlights was sold in the 1920s Chicago by … more This fine Spanish Revival walnut and burlwood buffet with paint and gold highlights was sold in the 1920s Chicago by Al Capone’s favorite furniture dealer, was sold in 1920s Chicago by Al Capone’s favorite furniture dealer, the Jack Niles Furniture Company. It was made by “The Cabinet Shops” in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the time when it was the premier city in the North American furniture industry. The matching large dining table, chairs and a smaller buffet are also in my collection. The table displays the maker’s and seller’s marks. The set was acquired from a collector who had bought it some years ago at an estate sale in Chicago.

I acquired the set from a family that had bought it at an estate sale in Chicago.

The furniture Al Capone bought from Jack Niles was very expensive, and it was implicated in the criminal charges that sent Capone to prison.

The prosecution of Capone for tax evasion included this evidence: "There is submitted herewith as Exhibit No. 92, transcript of the testimony of Miss Jean Rives of Chicago, Illinois. Miss Rives stated that she was bookkeeper for the Jack Niles Furniture Company of Chicago; that the company had business with Alphonse Capone; that in 1928 he came to the store to select furniture; that he bought it in the name of P. Henderson; that it was sent to 93 Palm Island, Miami Beach, Florida; that the first purchase amounted to $7,289.15; that on placing the order he made a deposit of $1,500.00, represented by three checks of $500.00 each; that two days later (June 13, 1928) he paid the balance by three checks, one for $1,500.00, one for $2,000.00 and another one for $2,000.00; that Jack Guzik was the maker of these checks; that they were drawn on the Equitable Trust Company of Chicago; and that in January of 1929 Al Capone bought additional furniture valued at $1,250.00."

The price Capone paid for this furniture from Jack Niles would amount to more than $147,000 in today's dollars. less