Description
1823 Broadside Horrible Murder Suicide Father and Son
Horrible Murder Of A Father By His Own Son. Being an account of the barbarous Murder of Thos. Howard Griffiths, Esq., a wealthy Gentleman of London, who was cruelly murdered in his own drawing-room on Monday last, the 23rd June, 1823, by his Son Abel, who immediately afterwards shot himself through the head, when they were both soon afterwards found lying dead, presenting one of the most horrid spectacles ever witnessed.
Original 1823 broadside sensationalizing the ‘most horrific spectacles ever witnessed’. No gory 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 pedlars — street performers in their own right — and cost a halfpenny or a penny. The broadsides themselves were often produced by printers who specialised 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 of Glasgow as part of his permanent records.
6.5 x 11 inch broadside on original period mount to 9.5 x 15 inch sheet.
