Hollywood's Mae West is robbed in 1932...
Item # 726362
October 14, 1932
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 14, 1932
* Iconic - famous actress Mae West
* "Diamond Lil" is robbed - robbery
* Hollywood's "Golden Age" of film
Page 22 has a somewhat discrete report with a small one column heading: "Mae West Is Robbed" with subhead. (see image)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally nice.
Background: The robbery of Mae West on October 13, 1932, represents a pivotal moment where the grit of Depression-era reality collided with the curated glamour of early Hollywood. Occurring just as West was skyrocketing to fame with Paramount Pictures, the heist involved an armed gunman who intercepted her at the Ravenswood Apartments, escaping with nearly $20,000 in cash and iconic diamond jewelry—a staggering sum during the Great Depression. Beyond the immediate financial loss, the event was historically significant for how it solidified West’s "Diamond Lil" persona; rather than retreating from the spotlight, she leveraged the headlines to reinforce her image as a resilient, high-status icon who remained unshakable under pressure. The media frenzy surrounding the theft also highlighted the era's fascination with "gentleman bandits" and celebrity vulnerability, ultimately serving as a masterclass in early 20th-century PR where West transformed a personal trauma into a narrative of enduring luxury and "tough-girl" charisma that defined her career.
* Iconic - famous actress Mae West
* "Diamond Lil" is robbed - robbery
* Hollywood's "Golden Age" of film
Page 22 has a somewhat discrete report with a small one column heading: "Mae West Is Robbed" with subhead. (see image)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally nice.
Background: The robbery of Mae West on October 13, 1932, represents a pivotal moment where the grit of Depression-era reality collided with the curated glamour of early Hollywood. Occurring just as West was skyrocketing to fame with Paramount Pictures, the heist involved an armed gunman who intercepted her at the Ravenswood Apartments, escaping with nearly $20,000 in cash and iconic diamond jewelry—a staggering sum during the Great Depression. Beyond the immediate financial loss, the event was historically significant for how it solidified West’s "Diamond Lil" persona; rather than retreating from the spotlight, she leveraged the headlines to reinforce her image as a resilient, high-status icon who remained unshakable under pressure. The media frenzy surrounding the theft also highlighted the era's fascination with "gentleman bandits" and celebrity vulnerability, ultimately serving as a masterclass in early 20th-century PR where West transformed a personal trauma into a narrative of enduring luxury and "tough-girl" charisma that defined her career.
Category: The 20th Century









