WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY 25 & 26 July 2020

176 History 326 HMP Belfast - Crumlin Road Gaol - a collection of keys in use from 1960s to 1996. Approximately 50 keys, latch and mortice types, some with metal tags including H7, DOG SECTION, TANGO 6 , VTC IND CLEANERS, FEMALE SHOWERS, OLD CONTRACTORS ENTRANCE & FRONT GATE, TRADES NEW STORE, FRONT DOOR, EXTERNAL PERSONNEL DOOR, etc. Collection of William ‘Plum’ Smith. Condition: Very good. The prison was built in 1843-1845, modelled on Pentonville Prison in London. When originally designed, the prison did not contain a gallows and the executions were carried out in public view until 1901, when an execution chamber was constructed within the prison walls and used until the last of the hangings in 1961. Seventeen prisoners were executed in the prison, the last being Robert McGladdery who was hanged in 1961 for the murder of Pearl Gamble. During its 150-year history the gaol had many prisoners pass through its doors. Some of the more well known prisoners included Éamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone and Bobby Sands. The gaol closed its doors as a prison in 1996 and it was empty for many years. In November 2012, the prison opened as a museum and conference centre and now hosts concerts and exhibitions, including a prisoners art exhibition organised by William Smith. The museum received a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 2014. Estimate €1500-€2000 (approx £1,360-£1,820) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 326