You are bidding on a very rare vintage  COUNTESS MARA  tie from L.A. Mob Boss, Mickey Cohen. This tie is in excellent condition.  This tie came from Cohen's extensive wardrobe. A perfect example of Cohen's class, elegance and the pride that he took in his appearance. This beautiful tie is Countess Mara which was Cohen's personal favorite. They were considered the best and one of the most expensive ties of the era. 

  This is a history of the iconic Countess Mara tie. Lucilla Mara de Vescovi was born in Rome, Italy in 1893. She married Malcolm Whitman, an American singles tennis champion, in 1926. In 1930, following an argument about her husband's dull ties, his wife made him one from silk dress material.  

In 1932, Whitman committed suicide. His grief-stricken widow subsequently travelled throughout Europe, where she purchased fabrics and brought them back to New York with the intention of launching a career making men's ties.  

Following her return to New York, Lucilla de Vescovi Whitman founded her men's neckwear company in 1935. She branded herself "Countess Mara". While Mara was her second name, the company name might have been inspired by an 18th-century Kneller portrait of the Countess de Mar wearing a loosely tied Steinkirk cravat.  

Countess Mara ties featured several novel marketing decisions. She had her initials featured on the outside blade of each tie, ensuring that they were instantly recognizable. The ties were made in very limited quantities, typically only fifteen dozen per design, and they were comparatively expensive. This led to their becoming collector's items, sought after by celebrities and fashion-conscious businessmen. Other tie manufacturers, noticing her success, copied her business model and hired artists to imitate her tie designs.Mara did not mind this, saying in 1949 that being imitated had "expanded the acceptablity of the pictorial tie".  

In 1944 Countess Mara was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in recognition of the influence her ties had had upon fashion.  

One of the most high-profile wearers of Countess Mara neck wear was Frank Sinatra, who sometimes wore one-of-a-kind custom ties made especially for him by the firm. 

 

   Also included in this auction is Mickey Cohen's personal business card! My father took possession of these business cards upon Mickey Cohen's death. They are over 30 years old and very rare. Cohen only gave his business card out to celebrities and VIP's. You will only have access to these very rare Mob items through this very rare auction.

Jim Smith, my father, was Mickey Cohen's right hand Man. When Mickey Cohen died my father took over most of Mickey's possessions. Mickey Cohen's appearance was very important to him. He spent a lot of his money on clothes and even his sleepwear. He had the best wardrobe money could buy and at one time he even owned his own clothing store. 

 

   Mickey Cohen was Ben "Bugsy" Siegel's right hand man. After Ben Siegel was knocked off by his Syndicate partners for skimming from the Flamingo, Mickey Cohen took over the mob's West Coast. He took over for Ben and was very successful. "I took over from Benny right away on instructions from the people back east," he said. "Naturally, I missed Benny, but to be honest with you, his getting knocked off was not a bad break for me. Pretty soon I was running everything out here "Cohen's famous quote was "I never killed a man who didn't deserve it." Cohen hung around with all of the Top celebrities and political figures. He was very good friends with Frank Sinatra and the Rat pack. In January of 1972 Mickey was released from the Federal Penitentiary. Jim Smith picked him up from prison and was with him everyday for the rest of Mickey's life. Jim Smith is shown wearing the plaid jacket in the pictures below. This picture was taken from the book Mickey Cohen "In My Own Words"

   

    Mickey also had more lives than a cat. Mickey Cohen was born a Leo. Cohen was shot at, bombed, arrested, imprisoned, threatened, and even hit in the head with a lead pipe by a crazed inmate while in jail. He was also involved in many legendary gun battle's such as the "War of the Sunset Strip." Mickey always came back for more. Mickey died of cancer in 1976 but in the end, he outlasted all of his enemies and was one of the most flamboyant and successful gangsters to ever live. He was just as famous as John Gotti or any other Mob figure. Be sure to check out the mob book "LIFE - Mobsters & Gangsters" While many gangsters are portrayed like Capone and Gotti it is Cohen who receives the biggest coverage with a 10 page spread. It's a great book for any Mob aficionado. You can also check out this book on the Time-Life website. My father, Jim Smith, is also featured in the Rogue's Gallery "Mickey Cohen" Video. They shot most of this show at his house in L.A. Copies of the DVD and video are available on EBAY and at local stores. There are numerous movies and tv shows coming out portraying Mickey Cohen. This is the perfect way to add to your true crime collection or to start a Mob collection in the convenience of one auction for a very low price.

 

    This is very rare Mob memorabilia and all of these items comes directly from my father's personal collection. You will also receive a COA with every item which shows my father with Mickey taken directly from the book "Mickey Cohen- In my own words." This very detailed COA also explains how this tie was obtained. My father has recently passed away and left me his most prized and favorite pieces in his private mob collection. I am offering it here on Ebay.  

 

    Authentic Mob memorabilia is very hard to come by. This tie came directly from the source, my father, and is Guaranteed 100% Authentic. This auction is also sure to be a "Hit" with all of your friends. I will personally guarantee every item I sell as Authentic. It would be almost impossible to obtain an item like this elsewhere. Also, be sure to check out my other Mob auctions currently on EBAY. My father knew many Mob figures and owns many items from other famous mobsters that I have recently decided to sell. He has collected and treasured many private and personal Mob items through the years. Please E-mail me with any questions. I have a very low starting bid so make your best offer today. No Reserve. This is only a 7 day auction. I have 100% positive feedback so bid with confidence.