Photo, above:  Arnold Rothstein (see Hour 1,  Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series by David Pietrusza) and one of his checks.

Extremely rare signature example of Arnold Rothstein, the man who "fixed" the 1919 World Series, dated just four months before he was gunned down in a New York City hotel on November 3, 1928. The check, dated June 30, 1928, and issued by Adolph Klar, Inc., is made out to "Arnold Rothstein" in the amount of $102.81 and has been endorsed by Rothstein on the reverse. Rothstein's signature has been scripted in black fountain pen and grades a perfect "10." Arnold Rothstein signature examples of any kind are almost unheard of, let alone on an ideal item such as a check. This check example originates from a recent find of two, both of which were discovered together in the historical document collectibles world. While Rothstein's notoriety today is largely based upon his involvement in the 1919 World Series scandal, he was one of the top underworld figures in history and a leader of New York organized crime during the "Roaring Twenties." Known by a number of nicknames, including "The Brain," "The Big Bank Roll," "The Fixer," and "Mr. Big," Rothstein was . . .   [more]

JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW

Hour One

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 1, Block A:   Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series by David Pietrusza  (1 of 4)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 1, Block B: Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series by David Pietrusza  (2 of 4)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 1, Block C: Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series by David Pietrusza  (3 of 4)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 1, Block D: Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series by David Pietrusza  (4 of 4)

Hour Two

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 2, Block A: Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sporting Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias by Don Van Natta Jr (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 2, Block B: Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sporting Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias by Don Van Natta Jr (2 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 2, Block C: Stan Musial: An American Life by George Vecsey (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 2, Block D: Stan Musial: An American Life by George Vecsey (2 of 2)

Hour Three

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 3, Block A: Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars by Paul Ingrassia (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 3, Block B: Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars by Paul Ingrassia (2 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 3, Block C: Ajax, the Dutch, the War: The Strange Tale of Soccer During Europe's Darkest Hour by Simon Kuper (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 3, Block D: Ajax, the Dutch, the War: The Strange Tale of Soccer During Europe's Darkest Hour by Simon Kuper (2 of 2)

Hour Four

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 4, Block A: The Last Headbangers: NFL Football in the Rowdy, Reckless '70s: the Era that Created Modern Sports by Kevin Cook (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 4, Block B: The Last Headbangers: NFL Football in the Rowdy, Reckless '70s: the Era that Created Modern Sports by Kevin Cook (2 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 4, Block C: Soccer Men: Profiles of the Rogues, Geniuses, and Neurotics Who Dominate the World's Most Popular Sport by Simon Kuper (1 of 2)

Wednesday  1 January   2014/ Hour 4, Block D: Soccer Men: Profiles of the Rogues, Geniuses, and Neurotics Who Dominate the World's Most Popular Sport by Simon Kuper (2 of 2)

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Music

Hour 1: Road to Perdition 

Hour 2: Road to Perdition 

Hour 3: Rush 

Hour 4: Rush 

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