Abispo Verdi papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-2006-01

No requestable containers
Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Abispo Verdi papers include the 1952 and 1953 manifestos signed with the official green stamp, correspondence, biography of Albert Knapp written by his son-in-law Jack Fernandez, and the rubber stamp with an image of a mosquito.

Dates

Other: 20th century

Biographical / Historical

Albert Knapp (1905 – 1967) moved to Ybor City in 1925. In Ybor, Knapp worked as a mailman, was married to Marina Moré, with whom he had a daughter Sylvia, and served as a major in the Tampa Harbor Patrol during the World War II.

In the 1950s Knapp, under a pseudonym Abispo Verdi (misspelled “Green Hornet”), began issuing “manifestos” that poked fun at the local dirty businessmen and politicians. These manifestos Knapp wrote in a broken English dialect, with a mix of Spanish and Italian words, and signed with an official green mosquito stamp. Abispo Verdi, “the righter of wrongs, stinger of crooked politicians,” caused quite a scandal, and a $500 reward was once offered for his identity. Yet Knapp remained anonymous until after his death. In 1987 his co-conspirator, Tony Pizzo, publicly revealed his identity.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet

1 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Abispo Verdi was the author of several satirical manifestos issued in Ybor City. The manifestos made fun of local corrupt politicians and businessmen, which, while causing a scandal among the targets of the ridicule, found support in the community. The real identity of the author, Albert Knapp, was not revealed till 1987.