28th Apr, 2020 11:00

From the Curious to the Extraordinary

 
  Lot 25
 

A 19TH CENTURY CASED WAX HEAD OF ARCHIBALD HARE FROM MADAME TUSSAUDS

A 19TH CENTURY CASED WAX HEAD OF ARCHIBALD HARE FROM MADAME TUSSAUDS

the head realisitically modelled in wax, on a stepped ebonised base with a glazed ebonised case, handwrittten paper label below the head and a label verso detailing the life of Archibald Hare,

the case 58.5cm high, 42cm wide

Label verso: The Murder of Archibald Hare, Archibald Hare committed murder on the night of October 4th 1851, He argued with McGregor during that eveing which ended in a brawl. He was losing badly when he pulled out a large knife and stabbed the poor McGregor to death on the main street of Blantyre. He was arrested and sent to jail being found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to death on the 24th October by hanging. He He was hanged outside the jail on the green by the aging 84 year olf John Murdock, hangman of some repute. The wretched culprit ascended the scaffold with an unfaltering step and on taking his place on the drop, faced the multitude with great firmness. Having signified to the chaplain that we was going to address the people. Hare spoke as nearly as follows: ''Fellow men I am going to die for a crime of which I am innocent, but pray God to forgive all those who have persecuted me. All of you beware of a dram-drinking and beware Mathew Miller and take warning by this day to keep out bad company." The Executioner sadly miscalculated the drop and Hare only fell 2 feet. Murdock realising that his neck had not broken, grabbed Hares legs and held the struggling man until he breathed no more, The large crowd of 10,000 largely there believing Hare was the nephew of the infamour body snatcher William Hare of Burke and Hare fame. The frenzied mob cheered the hangman. As he held on for minutes while Hare slowly departed and ceased to be part of this world.


 

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