Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Lot #454
Bruno Richard Hauptmann

Chronicling the ‘Crime of the Century’: "'Bruno Dies Tonight'—Warden"

This lot has closed

Estimate: $200+
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid
Share:  

Description

Chronicling the ‘Crime of the Century’: "'Bruno Dies Tonight'—Warden"

Comprehensive collection of 12 newspapers detailing the trial of Hauptmann in the Lindbergh kidnapping case, dated between 1934 and 1936. The earliest is a Sunday Mirror from September 23, 1934, just four days after German-born Hauptmann’s arrest, headlined, “Link Nazis To Kidnap!,” featuring an image of the suspect and an outline of the four latest developments in the investigation. The trial was held in Flemington, New Jersey, and ran from January 2 to February 13, 1935; the remaining papers detail the results and aftermath, beginning with issues of The Buffalo Times from February 12 and 13, 1935, respectively headlined, “Execute Bruno, State Pleads,” and “Bruno Jury Deliberates.” Next is an ‘Extra’ edition of The Chillicothe Scioto Gazette from later the same day, headlined, “Hauptmann Is Convicted.” This is followed by editions of The Buffalo Times and the Buffalo Courier Express, headlined, “Bruno To Death House Friday,” and “Hauptmann Doomed To Die.” Hauptmann appealed the case, and his demise was delayed for over a year; the next papers concern these events of 1936, with January and March 1936 issues of The Buffalo Times headlined “Bruno, 30 Hours To Live, Asks Supreme Court Writ,” and “Bruno Fights Desperately.” The collection ends with a series of papers chronicling the final days of Hauptmann’s battle, with editions of the Buffalo Courier Express from April 1 and 2, headlined, “48-Hour Delay For Bruno,” and “Hoffman May Save Bruno.” New Jersey Governor Harold G. Hoffman did not intervene with the proceedings, and Hauptmann was scheduled to be executed on April 3; the final two newspapers are The Buffalo Times from that day, headlined, “’Bruno Dies Tonight’—Warden,” and the Buffalo Courier Express from April 4, headlined, “Bruno Dies Without Break.” In overall very good to fine condition, with general wear and some newspapers possibly incomplete. An excellent grouping embodying the widespread interest in the case as ‘front page news.’

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Rare Manuscript, Document & Autograph
  • Dates: #443 - Ended December 10, 2014