An archive of letters by the infamous wife killer Dr Harvey Crippen is to cross the block at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, UK with a ?�3,000-5,000 ($4,463-7,438) valuation.
They were written shortly before his execution in November 1910 and will auction on March 28.
 The Crippen case caused a sensation at the time |
Crippen (1862-1910) allegedly killed his wife in order to start a new life with his mistress, Ethel Le Neve. He became the first criminal to be caught using the telegram, after the captain of the ship he was fleeing on alerted British authorities.
His last letter is addressed to Lady Henry Somerset, a well known philanthropist and women's rights activist and concerns an offer of a place for Ethel to stay. It reads (in part): "I shall only be allowed to write you this one letter and to receive the one visit.
"It was most good of you to write me at once after the trial and I had two letters from you and two from Mrs Brock and Mr Brock all at one time, indeed a great solace to me�Ǫ
"I have already told you I hope Ethel may have a little advanced her on my securities by Mr Newton but until I see him.
"I do not know how she will be situated, I have sent word to her by her sister ... she (Ethel) is to see you and decide for herself what to do but I am sure Ethel will trust you and you may guess what a relief to my mind your promise of a home for her has been as I know her sister and brother in law cannot afford to keep her and again, after the happy years with me, it breaks my heart to think of her ever going out in this world again to battle for herself."
Another archive of Crippen memorabilia was offered earlier this year, but failed to sell.
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