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This photograph is part of a much larger and wonderfully eclectic collection of photos and documents acquired in Europe several years ago. The acid-free red and white sticker on the verso is part of the previous owner’s personal collection and catalog system, adding a layer of provenance to an already historically significant piece.
Up for sale is a large original 1928 press photograph documenting the burial of 6-year-old Salvatore Santamarco — a child whose tragic death shocked New York City and made national headlines. The verso is stamped September 11, 1928, and bears the handwritten notation “Burial of Salvatore Santamarco — slain boy,” confirming the subject and date directly on the photograph itself.
Salvatore was strangled to death by his brother-in-law, Panorella, in an act of revenge tied to a bitter family dispute rooted in the Italian immigrant community of Coney Island. His 16-year-old sister Fanny had been forced into an arranged marriage with an older man connected to mob circles. Police discovered Salvatore’s body buried in a back yard, bound with fifteen feet of rope tied in longshoremen’s knots. New York and Coney Island police — hardened to crime in one of the nation’s toughest cities — called it one of the most atrocious child murders in recent memory.
The funeral was held at the Church of Our Lady of Solace, West 17th Street and Mermaid Avenue, Coney Island — the very parochial school where Salvatore was to have begun his school career that same week. The image captures the raw grief of mourners surrounding the small white flower-draped casket as it is lowered into the ground — a genuinely powerful and haunting piece of social history.
Coverage appeared in The Indianapolis Times on September 7, 1928, among other major newspapers, reflecting the national attention this case received. A copy of the relevant newspaper page is included in the listing photos for additional historical context.
Measurements: Approximately 8 x 10 inches
Condition: Some oxidation, fading, and discoloration consistent with age. Newspaper crop lines visible on front. Spots and oxidation on reverse. Name written on verso. Top corners cut.
Please examine all provided photos carefully, as they form an essential part of the listing description. Guaranteed old and original.
Disclaimer: Item details, identification, and historical context are based on the seller’s personal research and best assessment. Buyers are ultimately purchasing the physical photograph pictured, in the condition shown. No additional authentication is implied or warranted.
