William James Flynn
William James Flynn (November 18, 1867 – October 14, 1928) was the chief of the Secret Service (1912 – 1917) and the third director of the Bureau of Investigation from July 1, 1919 to August 21, 1921.
Mr. Flynn was born in New York City and began his career as a Manhattan plumber in 1897, after receiving a public education.
His first law enforcement job was as an agent in the United States Secret Service.
He spent many years combating counterfeiting, which led to his investigation and arrests of Black Hand extortionists and members of the Mafia, many of them associated with the Morello Family, also recognized as the first Mafia family in the United States.
Mr. Flynn collaborated with New York Police Department detective Giuseppe Petrosino, who was murdered in Palermo, Sicily 1909, where he was tracing the backgrounds of Morello Crime Family members, who were plaguing New York City. Mr. Flynn built the case that culminated in their 1910 convictions and imprisonment.
William “The Bulldog” Flynn
Antique monogrammed pocket watch
PROVENANCE
William J. Flynn’s antique pocket watch was obtained through a fellow collector, who bought it from a Flynn’s family member.
The Verge Fusee Silver Key wind pocket watch was produced in Ireland and engraved on the back with the initials W, J, F and presumably gifted to Mr. Flynn upon his retirement as chief of the Secret Service in 1917.
Initially the watch was bought together with another artifact, Mr. Flynn’s surveillance listening device, which was later sold to the Las Vegas Mob Museum, where it is currently on display.
The pocket watch as shown in its original wooden keepsake box
Notarized letter William J. Flynn pocket watch
William J. Flynn surveillance listening device on display at the Las Vegas Mob Museum