[African Americana]: Holstein, Casper [subject]:

$475 · Offered by William Reese Company

[Original Press Photograph:] "...ALLEGED HARLEM POLICY KING AT VIRGIN ISLANDS INVESTIGATION" [caption title]. A three-quarter length photo of Holstein (1877–1944), seated and waiting to give testimony. Born in St. Croix of African and Danish descent, Caspar Holstein moved to New York in 1884. After serving in World War I, he eventually rose to the position of chief messenger for a Wall Street brokerage. That position provided him the opportunity to observe and gain some familiarity with the system, leading to his revamping the extant "numbers" lottery. He earned an estimated two million dollars from his lotteries and became known as the "Bolita King." He extended significant philanthropic support to the African American community in New York and environs, helped found a school in Liberia, and remained active in the affairs of the Virgin Islands. The present photograph was taken on the occasion of his appearance as a witness before the Senate Territories Committee during their investigation of Virgin Islands Governor Paul Pearson. Holstein inspired the character Dr. Valentin Narcisse (played by Jeffrey Wright) in two seasons of the HBO series, BOARDWALK EMPIRE.

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