Description
1822 Broadside Trial & Sentence of Execution for Violating a Young Girl
‘Trial and Sentence of James Burtney before the High Court of Judiciary at Edinburgh, on Monday the 18th Nov. 1822, for violating the person of a Girl under nine years of age, at Prestwick, near Ayr, when he was sentenced to be Executed at Ayr on Friday the 20th day of December next.’
Extremely scarce! Original 1822 broadside sensationalizing the horrific crime of rape upon a young girl of eight, no horrific detail was spared. These cheap, single sided sheets of paper told tales of crime, trials and executions. They were commonly sold at public courts and executions by hawkers and peddlers — street performers in their own right — and cost a halfpenny or a penny. The broadsides themselves were often produced by printers who specialized in them. The writers were motivated to make a quick penny and thus embellished their stories for shock value, much like the tabloids of today. They were printed to be read and posted up in public places. This copy was archived by the printer John Muir as part of his permanent records.
6.5 x 11 inch broadside on original period mount to 9.5 x 15 inch sheet.
