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Lot # 945: Original Native American Artwork Depicted in the Last Known Photographs of Whitey Bulger with Direct Provenance from Bulger (PSA)

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Classic 2021",
which ran from 2/25/2021 2:00 PM to
4/2/2021 11:00 PM



From the "Chip and Whitey Collection," this is the original Native American artwork depicted in the last known photographs of Whitey Bulger. Wonderful images originate directly from Clement "Chip" Janis, an art teacher who Bulger befriended when they both were inmates at the United States Penitentiary in Tucson, AZ. Janis was known for his Native American art, and the warden eventually put Janis in charge of the prison art room where he taught other inmates; Bulger was a huge Native American art fan and became fond of Janis' work, thus starting a close friendship. CBS Boston ran a story in May of 2020 showing three of the last known photographs of Whitey Bulger, with Janis by his side. Those three exact photos are in a different lot in the current Lelands Auction but the photos in which these works of art are depicted were from the same "photoshoot," making them some of the last known photographs of Whitey Bulger. Each is accompanied by a 4x5" photo of Bulger, Janis, and the exact work of art, and the infamous crime boss hand wrote a letter and signed the backs of three out of the four photographs, even writing "Me on left - Chip on right" and "Chip + Whitey" on two. Bulger can be seen holding all four works, while directly touching two and leaving behind DNA. 1) 14x24" oil on canvas by Janis, titled "Sculpted Chief." 2) 20x24" oil on canvas by Janis, titled "Chief Images Series." 3) 19x24" pastel, ink and graphite on charcoal paper, titled "Joe Carnes." 4) 19x24" pastel, ink and graphite on charcoal paper, titled "Young Joe." All four works are signed by Janis "Lost Boy" and dated "14."

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