Autograph of "Jafsie" in Haptmann Trial of the Lindbergh Kidnapping Case

CONDON, John F [Charles LINDBERGH]

Published by Rand Kardex Service Corp Bronx 1927

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Description:

Original 6 by 4 inch bank signature card, signed by Condon. During this time, John F. Condon, a well-known Bronx personality and retired school teacher, wrote a letter to the Bronx Home News,offering $1,000 if the kidnapper would turn the child over to a Catholic priest. John F. Condon received a letter reportedly written by the kidnappers. It authorized Condon to be their intermediary with Lindbergh. Lindbergh accepted the letter as genuine. Following the latest letter's instructions, Condon placed a classified ad in the New York American reading: "Money is Ready. Jafsie". Condon then waited for further instructions from the culprits. A meeting between "Jafsie" and a representative of the group that claimed to be the kidnappers was eventually scheduled for late one evening at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. According to Condon, the man sounded foreign but stayed in the shadows during the conversation, and he was thus unable to get a close look at his face. The man said his name was John, and he related his story: he was a "Scandinavian" sailor, part of a gang of three men and two women. The baby was being held on a boat, unharmed, but would be returned only for ransom. When Condon expressed doubt that "john" actually had the baby, he promised some proof: the kidnapper would soon return the baby's sleeping suit. The stranger asked Condon, ". would I 'burn' [be executed], if the package [i.e. the baby] were dead?" When questioned further, he assured Condon that the baby was alive.On March 16, Condon received a toddler's sleeping suit by mail, and a seventh ransom note. After Lindbergh identified the sleeping suit, Condon placed a new ad in the Home News: "Money is ready. No cops. No secret service. I come alone, like last time." On April 1, Condon received a letter saying it was time for the ransom to be delivered. The ransom was packaged in a wooden box that was custom-made in the hope that it could later be identified. The ransom money included a number of gold certificates - gold certificates were about to be withdrawn from circulation, and it was hoped this would draw attention to anyone spending them. The bills were not marked but their serial numbers were recorded. Some sources credit this idea to Frank J. Wilson, others to Elmer Lincoln Irey. On April 2, Condon was given a note by an unknown cab driver.[further explanation needed] Condon met "John" and told him that they had been able to raise only $50,000. The man accepted the money and gave Condon a note saying that the child was in the care of two innocent women. Seller Inventory # 30627

Bibliographic Details

Title: Autograph of "Jafsie" in Haptmann Trial of ...
Publisher: Rand Kardex Service Corp Bronx 1927
Binding: Soft cover
Signed: Signed by Author(s)