1957 Jewish Mobster Shondor Birns with Alleged Hitman Elijah Abercrombie After Trial to Assassinate Don King Original TYPE I Photo

Shondor Birns (1905–1975) was an Austrian-born Jewish American gangster who rose to become Cleveland's most notorious crime boss, dubbed "Public Enemy No. 1" by the local press. From Prohibition through the 1970s, he controlled the city's numbers rackets, prostitution, and extortion rings, often in alliance with the Cleveland Mafia. A dispute with enforcer Danny Greene over an unpaid $75,000 loan ended with Birns being killed by a car bomb in 1975.

Elijah Abercrombie was a numbers runner in the 1940s-50s in the Cleveland African American community underworld.

In 1957, Shondor Birns faced charges tied to a gambling-related bombing amid Cleveland’s rackets war. The bombing was an actual unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Don King (yes, that Don King of Muhammad Boxing promotor fame).

Elijah Abercrombie, a Black numbers runner seen in close company with Birns, testified that police offered him protection and a free gambling run if he cooperated. His testimony exposed corruption more than it convicted. The jury ultimately failed to reach a verdict.

Offered is an original 8.5” x 6.5” original TYPE I photo of Jewish Mobster Shondor Birns (left) with Elijah Abercrombie During Birns Trial. Stamped on the back by the staff photographer, Karl J. Ranschkoll of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Stamped dated November 29, 1957.