SCARLET WOMEN SEE RED
Judge Torrens, after an impassioned plea for leniency by the foreman of the jury, commuted the death sentence imposed on Eliza McIlveene and Mary Moody, telling the court that "the purpose of justice might be sufficiently satisfied by the commutation of the respective sentences of the prisoners into transportation for life."
The two women were local prostitutes found guilty of murder. They began their journey from Dublin in August 1841 to Van Dieman’s Land, a harsh penal colony that played host to the detritus of English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish society.
That might have been the last we heard of them except for a fascinating document that surfaced recently and is now being offered for sale by Leski Auctions. It records Eliza’s sentence to six days of solitary confinement in October 1842 for being drunk and also confirms the granting of a ticket-of-leave in August 1847, which was a form of parole that gave convicts freedom to build a life outside of the penal system. Clearly, Eliza toed the line to gain such an important privilege barely six years after her arrival.
"This is an important document from the earliest years of European settlement in Australia," says Charles Leski. "What it teaches us is that the British colonial enterprise had the capacity to deal fairly with some convicts and to encourage the development of society, a fact not widely recognised."
Lot 347 has a pre-sale estimate of $500 - $700. (NB: Image available at https://www.leski.com.au/images/lot/3551/355149_2.jpg?1530072003)
The lot will be offered for sale by Leski Auctions in Melbourne on Sunday, 15 July from 12 noon.
About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973. Today, it is regarded as one of Australia’s leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia, Australian Art & Antiques, Collectibles and World Philately. Among the many significant collections that Leski Auctions has been privileged to sell are those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke, Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton. It has sold more ‘baggy green’ caps than any other auction house in the world.
Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts’ Cultural Gifts Program. He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne. Harry Glenn, an industry veteran with more than 20 years experience, has been working with Charles since 2012.
The company is located at 727-729 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia.
Tel +61 3 8539 6150 and www.leski.com.au
Issued by: Charles Leski, Leski Auctions
