English: In the collection of Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service
Brief Description: Ticket for the execution of Jonathan Wild, the famous Wolverhampton thief. The ticket displays a portrait of Jonathan at the top surrounded by the words "Jonathan Wild Thief-Taker General of Great Britain and Ireland. Below is a figure of a man and skeleton with torture tools in circles and a written warning to thiefs in the centre.
ObjectNumber: W1178
Dimensions: 9 x 13 cm
Colour: Black White
Technique: Printed
Material: Ink, Paper
Note that the emblem at the top is Wild's own imprint, showing him in cloth cap and bearing a mace as a symbol of policing. The main illustration bears the emblems of Death (left) and the Grave (right), surmounted by devices of imprisonment. Between Death and the Grave is a small casket. The text invites all criminals, and then ladies and gentlemen, to walk with their friend I--- W--d to the "triple tree," which was Tyburn. The gallows there were a simple L-shaped beams arranged with three together.
IONATHAN WILD THIEF-TAKER GENERAL OF GREAT BRITTAIN & IRELAND ·
To all the Thieves,
Whores, Pick-pockets,
Family Fellons & c.
in Great Brittain & Ireland,
Gentlemen & Ladies
You are hereby desir'd to
accompany yr worthy friend ye
Pious Mr. I - W -d from his
Seat at Whittingtons Colledge
to ye Tripple Tree, where he's
to make his last Exit
on ‹…›, and his
Corps to be Carry'd from thence
to be decently interr'd a=
=mongst his Ancestors.