Letters written by one of the most notorious killers in British criminal history have fetched £11,000 at auction.
Dr Harvey Hawley Crippen rose to infamy by poisoning and dismembering his wife and hiding her remains under the cellar floor in 1910.
He was arrested after trying to flee the UK with his mistress Ethel Le Neve, who had disguised herself as a young boy for the journey.
Crippen was the first criminal to be captured with the aid of wireless communication after the captain of the SS Montrose, the ship he was escaping on, sent a wireless telegram to British authorities.
His trial at the Old Bailey in October 1910 lasted five days and he was found guilty by a jury after just 27 minutes of deliberations. He was hanged at Pentonville prison in London the following month.
Crippen's collection of letters were sold at Henry Aldridge and Son auctioneers in Devizes, Wiltshire, on Saturday.
Speaking after the sale, auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the letters had fetched more than double their top estimate.
"There was a lot of interest from clients both here and in America, because Crippen was American," Mr Aldridge said.
"We had a collector from Australia that showed interest too. There was very frantic bidding."
They were written by Crippen during his trial and while he waited for his death sentence to be carried out - and give a fascinating snapshot into his mind.
Crippen's final letter, dated October 26 1910, was written to Lady Henry Somerset and details his relationship with his mistress but also his optimism that "All yet may come right".
"I appreciate and entirely understand all you write me and believe me far from finding your letter cold the sympathy they contain and what you tell me about Ethel has been of great comfort to me," he wrote.
"I am most comfortable in my bodily wants, I eat well and sleep well and be assured I am not all broken down.
"Mr Newton will assist me in making a strong appeal, so hope it is not entirely gone yet. I am allowed to have my glasses and all the books I want to read and everyone tries to be kind to me so I try to rest content for the present.
"I have tried to think of everything knowing this will be my last letter to you, as I am only allowed this one to you, but if there is any point I have omitted, please make a note of it and we can talk of it when you come to see me.
"I want Ethel to see this letter please, when you come to discuss matters, as it may help her in deciding to be with you, now please forgive me such a xxxxx but I have had to write with a quill and I cannot help the scribbling affect.
"Lastly, dear Lady Somerset, I trust to your promise and can only say, My God be always good to you as you deserve, comfort and care for my little wifie and believe that an eternal gratitude is always yours from Yours most sincerely HH Crippen. I am still hopeful and all may yet come right."
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