Frank Sinatra’s Personal Letter to the Priest Auctioned

There’s quite a bit of attention surrounding the rarely seen side of “Ol’ Blue Eyes.” A 1964 letter, penned by Frank Sinatra, is set to be auctioned off as part of Bonhams’ Unplugged unforgettable music auction starting Tuesday.

The six-page letter addresses the kidnapping of Sinatra’s son, Frank Jr., who was just 19 at the time and could fetch around $30,000, according to estimates. It’s quite telling, really—the raw emotions revealed paint a picture of a man who’s surprisingly open. You don’t often see that side of legends like Sinatra, and it feels almost intimate.

This incident goes back to 1963 when Sinatra’s son was abducted by two amateur criminals, Barry Keenan and Joe Amsler. With the FBI’s assistance, Sinatra ultimately paid a ransom of $240,000 to bring his son home safely.

In his letter, Sinatra replied to a priest who had reached out about forgiving his son’s misfortunes, addressing Father Roger Schmidt, who worked in the prison where Keenan served his time. It’s intriguing—the attorney for Frank Jr. had once suggested that the kidnapping was staged for publicity, which adds a layer of complexity to the whole scenario.

“In my opinion, allowing this notion of a ‘hoax’ is another crime against society,” Sinatra expressed in his letter, touching on the ongoing negative impact of the incident on his son’s life and career.

The letter is being sold by the son of someone who was imprisoned alongside Schmidt. This man received the letter from the pastor, which has been in his family since 1964.

Interestingly, Allen, presumably an expert in memorabilia, has some thoughts on who might bid on the letter. He mentions that such items draw collectors interested in more than just entertainment history. It’s like getting a glimpse behind the mask, a chance to see Sinatra not just as a performer but as a human being grappling with personal challenges.