Harry Lawrence, organizer of the 2005 Golden Age of Gangsters Convention in Chicago, is currently investigating the possibility of holding a similar event in St. Paul in the Summer of 2009. The focus would be on both Mafia/Organized Crime and also on Depression era outlaws (Dillinger, Barker-Karpis Gang, Pretty Boy Floyd, etc.). Hotel/venue pricing so far seems reasonable and a number of crime historians have expressed an interest in participating. One venue under consideration is the Landmark Center (former Federal Court building and site of the Bremer and Hamm kidnapping trials).

The 2005 convention brought together various authors of gangster books, Mob merchandise vendors, memorabilia collectors, along with Antoinette Giancana and cast members of The Sopranos.

This event I think has a lot of potential. There are also bus tours to gangster sites in St. Paul and Minneapolis and a "Public Enemies Exhibtion" is also in the planning stages in St. Paul for Summer 2009, to coincide with the release of the movie Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp as Dillinger.

If interested -- and I notice there is some lively discussion here on Isadore "Kid Cann" Blumenfeld -- feel free to contact Harry at goodfellasharry@yahoo.com.

Rick Mattix

p.s. Day phone for Harry Lawrence:
440-327-0880.