BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Mobster memorabilia

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

Thursday, 1 November 2007, 16:43 GMT

In pictures: Mobster memorabilia

1 of 7
Diamond-encrusted jewellery belonging to notorious mafia hitman Salvatore "Sammy The Bull" Gravano, is being auctioned on Saturday in Arizona. Pictures: Sierra Auction

2 of 7
Underboss Gravano broke his oath of silence in 1991 to help jail godfather John Gotti. After a time in a witness protection programme, he was imprisoned on drugs charges in 2001.

Mafia "pinkie" ring

3 of 7
Mobsters were expected to dress the part, showing off their status in showy jewellery. Among the rings in the collection, are characteristic "pinkie" rings, worn on the little finger.

Sam keychain

4 of 7
Brett Higgins of Sierra Auction, which is selling the jewels for the government, said people were enamoured with mobster memorabilia because of the hit TV show The Sopranos.

Watch collection

5 of 7
Donald Conrad, the prosecutor who sent Gravano back to jail, warned against glamorising the mafia. But he acknowledges "there is just something romantic for people about the mafia".

Ring owned by Salvatore's wife

6 of 7
The collection, which includes jewels belonging to Gravano's ex-wife, has been valued at $100,000 (£50,000) but is expected to fetch much more because of the mob link.

Bracelet belonging to Sammy the Bull's former wife Debbie

Bracelet belonging to Sammy the Bull's former wife Debbie

7 of 7
Mafia wives have a penchant for big ornaments, but Debbie says she won't be bidding for her jewellery - such as this 42-diamond bracelet - which was seized a few years ago.

E-mail this to a friend