Procès

Henry Fauntleroy banker and forger. Autograph Letter Signed 'H Fauntleroy' to Sir Cuthbert Sharp written from Cold Bath Fields Prison a few weeks before his hanging at Newgate in front of a crowd of 100000.

22164 — 'C. B. Fields i.e. Cold Bath Fields Prison London October 14th 1824'. See Fauntleroy's entry in the Oxford DNB. Although accounts of his depravity are exaggerated Fauntleroy led a dissolute life and appropriated securities worth around £360000. During his trial at the Old Bailey he called seventeen merchants and bankers to testify to his integrity but his defence was unsuccessful and he was hanged outside Newgate before a crowd of 100000. The present item is 1p 4to. Bifolium addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Sir Cuthbert Sharp &c &c' with endorsement. In fair condition lightly aged and worn with slight damage to inner edge of second leaf caused by removal from mount. With several folds. Written in a clear hand with a good bold signature. Reads: 'My Dear Sir Cuthbert I have heard from you with every attention what you have proposed from the Assignees to me – I will give it every consideration & shall hope in a few days to communicate with you upon the subject I remain Most faithfully Yrs H Fauntleroy'. Sharp was presumably an assignee of an estate which had suffered as a result of Fauntleroy's forgeries. 'C. B. Fields [i.e. Cold Bath Fields Prison, London] October 14th 1824'. unknown