The First Ransom Kidnapping in America

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016

Two pieces to include; Autograph Letter Signed, “Christian K. Ross”, two pages, 6” X 9.5”, front and verso, on stationery printed “Office of the Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia”, February 23, 1883. Addressed to Lucy Derby. In full, “I recd a note from Mr. Lockerty [W. C. Locherty] saying that he has not any picture of Mr. Leib’s Son [Freddie Leib]. And also that it would be of little use in the matter of identification, because of the long time the boy has been away. This I have found to be the case in the Search for my Son. Persons have thought that they could see a likeness in a boy that they found. When comparing a picture they had of any Son. When really I could see no resemblance whatever. He also refers to the description in my book as the best and only way he can suggest to identify the boy. The manner in which I now proceed to reach a conclusion in every case brought to my notice – Is by a series of questions – that would bring to the Childs mind the circumstances immediately connected with his abduction –these I think are so indellibly impressed on his mind that it would only require that his attention be directed to these and his replies would indicate whether there is a probability of his being the long absent one. / I have delayed writing you because Mr. Lockerty said in his letter that he would call on me, which he did yesterday as I found his Card in the Office, but it being a legal holiday the office was closed. / I regret that I have not been able to get the picture, but have done what I could - / very truly yr / Christian K. Ross “. Thin strip of archival tape along left margin, else fine condition. .... plus, Rare printed 1874 Broadside, one page, 6" X 12", announcing a $20,000 reward in the case of the kidnapping of Charles Brewster Ross, with a lithograph illustration of the child. The broadside in part reads: "...He [Charley] is about four years old; his body and limbs are straight and well formed; he has a round, full face; small chin, with noticeable dimple; very regular and pretty dimpled hands; small well-formed neck; full, broad forehead; bright dark-brown eyes, with considerable fullness over them; clear white skin; ...light flaxen hair, of silky texture, easily curled in ringlets when it extends to the neck; ...slight cowlick on left side where parted...He talks plainly, but is retiring, and has a habit of putting his arm up to his eyes when approached by strangers. His skin may now be stained, and hair dyed,- or he may be dressed as a girl, with hair parted in the centre." It continues with descriptions of the kidnappers: "No. 1 is about thirty-five years old; five feet nine inches high;...rather full, round face, florid across the nose and cheek-bones, giving him the appearance of a heavy drinker...No.2 is older...and a little shorter and stouter than his companion; he wore chin whiskers about three inches long...and had a pug-nose, or a nose in some way deformed." Printed by Wm F. Murphy’s Sons, Stationers, Printers [since 1820], Philadelphia. Chipped corner and minor stains, else fine condition. Nine years earlier, Charley Ross, age 4, and his older brother Walter, age 6, were enticed into a carriage by two men who offered candy and a promise to buy them firecrackers. When they reached the store, Walter was given money to purchase the firecrackers, while the kidnappers drove away with little Charley. Christian Ross, the boys’ father, began receiving ransom demands which he was instructed to ignore for fear that an epidemic of kidnappings would ensue. By the time he decided to yield to their demands, the correspondence stopped. The Rosses never found Charley, although they investigated nearly five thousand ersatz Charley Rosses brought to them over the years.

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