On Tuesday I told you all I was looking for Edward Pritchard’s ‘Death Mask’. A cast of his head was taken by Mr. Alexander Stewart of the Phrenological Museum of Edinburgh, and my mind was stuck on wanting to see if it still existed. Of course certain things are lost over the years through simple misplacement or damage, some items are left in a dank storage facility or placed in an attic never to be thought about until someone comes along and recognises it’s worth. This is not the case however with Edward Pritchard’s head cast. A million thank yous …

On the 28 July 1865 Edward William Pritchard was put to death by hanging at the Saltmarket end of Glasgow Green. The public of Glasgow are described as having had been very excited about Edwards execution, it was the ‘conversation on every lip. Barriers were erected to form privileged areas and to prevent overcrowding. Hutcheson Bridge, a portion of Great Clyde Street and Market Street were blocked off so no person were allowed inside them. When Edward was presented in front of the crowds he was asked by the Governor of the Prison if he had anything to say he …