Machine Gun Kelly’s Historic Shotgun Goes Live Online on Proxibid Proxibid (www.proxibid.com), the world’s largest real auction marketplace, has been selected by California Auctioneers to provide live online bidding for an auction featuring George “Machine Gun” Kell
News-Antique.com - Jan 23,2012 - Omaha, NE – January 23, 2012 – Proxibid (www.proxibid.com), the world’s largest real auction marketplace, has been selected by California Auctioneers to provide live online bidding for an auction featuring George “Machine Gun” Kelly’s chrome shotgun which was left behind at Ora Shannon’s Wise Country, TX, ranch where he held millionaire Charles Urschel after kidnapping him. The live auction will take place Sunday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific with live online bidding commencing at that time via Proxibid. Bidders can view the auction catalog and place pre-bids by visiting www.proxibid.com/californiaauctioneers.
The 1930’s gangster relic is currently owned by 2008 world poker tournament ladies champion Nancy Todd, also known as the Queen of Diamonds. Proceeds from the sale of the shotgun will be donated to the Hayden Scholarship Foundation.
“It's a great opportunity to own a piece of American history,” said auctioneer Jewels Eubanks. “We encourage firearms enthusiasts from across the globe to log on and bid in this auction.”
California Auctioneers has documented the chain of custody, and procured a letter of authenticity from witness and Las Vegas legend Tex Whitson. Ora Shannon gave the shotgun to casino owner and Texas gambling legend Benny Binion, who was known for bringing Texas hospitality to his Las Vegas casino, Binion’s Horseshoe. The shotgun was kept in the vault at the Horseshoe, and shown to friends and patrons (including Mr. Whitson) until Binion gave the shotgun to Billy Bob Burnett of Billy Bob’s Texas, the biggest Honky Tonk in Texas, in 1985. Later the shotgun passed to Todd.
Also included in the auction is the “Benny Binion collection of gamblers guns, from the vault at the Horseshoe, confiscated from unruly gangsters, gamblers and patrons.” When asked how Binion knew Machine Gun Kelly and the Shannons Whitson replied, “Anyone who gambled or drank in that part of Texas knew Benny Binion, and probably owed him money.”
Additional auction highlights include estate items from the 9th Governor of Louisiana, Andre Bienvenue Roman, in office 1831-1835, including portraits by Jacques Guillaume Lucien Amans (1801-1888) . Also being offered is an important personal collection of pistols from pin stripe legend Von Dutch, well known for being the King of custom culture, he was also a gunsmith. Each has a custom Von Dutch handwritten tag.
For more information about this auction or to place a bid, please visit www.proxibid.com/californiaauctioneers.
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Omaha-based Proxibid brings auctioneers and bidders together for a world-class online auction experience. Since 2002, the Company has worked with more than 2,500 auctioneers to bring more than 35,000 auctions to a global, online audience. With registered bidders from more than 190 countries, no other provider in the industry connects more buyers and sellers than Proxibid. The Company’s proprietary live Internet bidding service and Web site were developed by auctioneers and industry-leading professionals to provide our bidders with the most user-friendly and comprehensive online auction experience possible.
