This carved emu egg features the best-known American bank robber of the 30's, John Dillinger.  Click on the photo to see a larger version

John began having run-ins with the law at age 9 when he led his own gang (called the Dirty Dozen).  At age 13, he and another boy raped a girl. By the time he was 18 he had gone through a series of jobs, spent most of his time hanging around pool halls and chasing women.  He stole his first car in 1923.  He eluded arrest and enlisted in the Navy using a phony address.  He wound up in the brig for being AWOL almost immediately and when released, deserted.    In 1924 he married a 16 year old girl named Beryl Hovius. Caught stealing chickens, he nearly went to jail but his father used his influence to prevent it.  Later in the year he was arrested for attacking and robbing a grocery store.  He was sentenced to 10 to 20 years and vowed escape. Beryl divorced him. in 1929.  After several failed escape attempts and Beryl's decision to divorce him, John suddenly became a model prisoner.  He enrolled in prison school and applied himself for the first time in his life.  While in prison, he met the future members of his gang.   When he was paroled in 1933, he began a spree of robberies in an effort to raise money for the bribes necessary to spring his buddies from prison.  Several robberies later he had enough money and plans were put into motion for the prison break.  However, it was at this time that Dillinger was re-arrested and put in the Lima, Ohio jail.  While he was in jail, the largest prison break in history took place.  When the ten men found out Dillinger was back in jail, they immediately made plans to spring him.  The jailor was killed during the jail break.  The gang headed to Chicago to make plans and eventually became the best organized gang in the history of bank robbery.   The "Terror Gang" decided that in order to fight the police, they needed the same equipment as the police.  So they robbed the police arsenal at Peru, Indiana, taking bullet proof vests, machine guns, sawed off shotguns and ammunition.  In the next 13 months Dillinger stole over $300,000.00, escaped from jail 4 times and killed 16 people.

In mid-July 1934 the Chicago police had a phone call from a Romanian brothel keeper named Anna Sage.  She offered to help the police trap Dillinger in exchange for keeping her from being deported.  Dillinger was seeing Polly Hamilton, one of Anna's "roomers" and would be taking them to the movies on July 22.  Anna was the infamous "Lady in Red", not Polly.   She wore an orange skirt that looked red in the artificial light.  Dillinger tried to run, but was shot twice.  Anna Sage received $5,000.00 and was deported.

This carved emu egg comes with it's own hand turned hardwood stand and can be personalized with an inscription on the back.

Because of the variations of color and texture inherent in the emu egg itself, each carved egg will be unique and make a distinctive addition to any decor or collection.  If you are looking for a "different" housewarming gift, birthday present or other special occasion gift for someone interested in the gangster era of our history this  would be ideal. 

#136 John Dillinger Carved Emu Egg  $95.00