Description:

COCOANUT GROVE FIRE
A chilling relic of the disastrous 1942 fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, a 7" x 6" fragment of the club's 1940 "PERMIT TO SELL, EXPOSE FOR SALE OR DELIVER ICE CREAM AND / OR SHERBET" which was recovered from the ashes following the fire. The fire, which killed 492 people, stands as the deadliest nightclub fire in history and for a short time replaced headlines on World War II in American newspapers. The catastrophic fire prompted numerous revisions in fire codes and safety standards across the country. The owner, Barney Welansnsky, who had boasted of his mob ties, was found guilty of manslaughter. This permit, signed by the health commissioner, "B R Walts", is heavily singed and chipped on both right and left margin, else good condition considering the circumstances. Offered together with a blank piece of torn 4to. letterhead from the John F. Fitz Supply Co. of Roxbury who apparently supplied fresh linens (and other potentially flammable material) to the club. Together, two pieces.

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March 30, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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