Hello--
I've been working my way though Philip Carlo's "Gaspipe" with a skeptical and curious eye both, due both to the source and the author...
One HUGE question that sticks out is who the hell is Salvatore "Sally" Callinbrano? That's how Carlo spells it C-a-l-l-i-n-b-r-a-n-o.
I know what Casso/Carlo say-- Genovese capo, Casso's 'godfather' into LCN culture, an alleged power in the ILA Local 1814 after Anastasia gets killed... Carlo even has a picture of himself in front of Sally's old club on Flatbush Extension and mentions he later moved to Monte's Bar & Restaurant, which-- though it closed for a few years-- still exists on Carroll Street.
Also, I've done a fair amount of reading about the ILA and Local 1814 and never seen the name Callinbrano...
... IN FACT I've never heard nor seen the surname Callinbrano, nor does it seem to exist elsewhere.
GUESS: Carlo and/or his assistant(s) phonetically misspelled another name.
EVIDENCE: on page 18, there's reference to youth gang contemporary with Casso's "South Brooklyn Boys"-- the "Day Hill Road Gremlins."
As Brooklyn native who knows the streets here very very well I read that three times like wtf?!!
Then I realized oh, he means the DAHILL ROAD Gremlins, which gang I didn't know but Dahill Road in Flatbush/Kensington/Borough Park... of course!
I've started skimming Italian/Sicilian surname lists but so far nothing seems that close. While I do think Casso is telling the truth about his family relationship with "Callinbrano" (because it's so obscure there's no reason to lie), that name can't be right.
Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions. If anyone has their own odd questions about Brooklyn history I'd be happy to help.
"Callinbrano" references in "Gaspipe"