1984 Big Paul Castellano Mafia Mob Boss Taken into Custody by the FBI Original Press Photo

Paul Castellano, known as “Big Paul,” was a powerful New York mob boss and head of the Gambino crime family from 1976 to 1985. A protégé of Carlo Gambino, Castellano favored white-collar rackets such as construction, trucking, and labor unions over street crime. His reign ended when he was assassinated outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan in 1985, clearing the way for John Gotti’s rise.

Offered is an original 8”x 10” photo of Castellano being taken into custody by the FBI.  Original paper caption attached that reads, “APN SUNDAY ILLUSTRATIONS
50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10020

AP NEWSFEATURES PHOTO
PLEASE CREDIT

(For release Sunday, August 12, 1984,
with Rick Hampson’s New York, APN
story slugged Mafia.)

INDICTED

Paul “Big Paul” Castellano, 68,
is led into federal court by an FBI
agent in New York, March 31. The
reputed boss of the Gambino organized
crime family and 20 other people were
indicted in a rackets conspiracy.

jzc—7/28/84 mbr/NY Times sil360”

Exceedingly rare photo of Big Paul, the boss of all bosses (in 1984).  He was extremely media shy.