Description
1823 Broadside Double Execution Theft & Highway Robbery
‘EXECUTION at Glasgow, on Wednesday the 29th October, 1823, of George Laidlaw for Robbing a Jeweller’s Shop of Gold and Silver articles to the value of L600 Sterling, and Francis Cain for Highway Robbery.’ –
Original 1823 broadside announcing the double EXECUTION of George Laidlaw for Theft and Francis Cain for Highway Robbery.
Extremely scarce! Execution broadsides, often called a ‘dying speech,’ were single sided sheets that were cheap and speedy to produce. They were used for popular or ‘street’ literature, and were commonly sold at public 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. No gory detail was spared. 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.
