Double portrait of James Bell and John Any Bird Bell, the latter the youngest person to be hanged in the 19th century.
1831. Rochester: Published by S. Caddel, Gazette Office, 1831.
Lithograph, 5.5 x 7.5 inches. Very good condition, mounted on a piece of worn blue paper.
§ John Any Bird Bell was the youngest person officially to be hanged in the 19th century, at the age of 14. His crime was the murder of Richard Taylor, aged 13, for 9 shillings, on May 4th 1831. The principal witness against him, was his accomplice and brother, James Bell, aged 11, who was reprieved. Public interest in the case was huge. There was a lengthy account in the Newgate Calendar and several broadside ballads appeared. The execution took place in front of Maidstone Prison, utilizing the new “drop” scaffold operated by William Calcraft, in front of a crowd of 5,000, on 1st August, 1831. Item #123688
Price: $125.00