This listing is for an original advertisement for the book "Holmes, the Arch-Fiend, or a Carnival of Crime" by Barclay & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Published in 1897, just one year after the hanging of Dr. H. H. Holmes, this book supposedly tells the tale of the entirety of his crimes including his self-published confession. Boldly professing to be the "accurate account" of "THE GREATEST MONSTER," this book would have been offered for sale to the many curious onlookers who were infatuated with the twists and turns of one of America's first media frenzies as it unfolded in their daily newspapers. This ad is presented on the back of the short story/penny dreadful "Clementine" which is included in its entirety.

Herman Webster Mudgett, or Dr. H. H. Holmes as he is more commonly known, is arguably one of America's most mysterious, and potentially prolific serial killers. It is alleged that during the months leading up to the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Holmes built a building near the site of the fair filled with trap doors and secret passageways in order to carry out the murders of 200 people and sell their skeletons to medical schools. Although these claims have been widely exaggerated since the time of his trial in October of 1895, they are very rarely substantiated by fact. What is known is that H.H. Holmes was only ever tried for the murder of his accomplice in Philadelphia, of which resulted in his execution. During this time and prior to his death, H.H. Holmes published his own confession (most probably for attention and money) claiming that he "had the devil in him" and to have murdered some 27 people. This confession he later recanted and was unverifiable as most of those he confessed to murdering were actually still alive.

Whatever the truth about the crimes of H.H. Holmes, it is certain that his is one of the most mysterious and disturbing stories of the 19th century. 

This item, along with many others in my shop, is an original item from a forgotten time period. It is presented to you in the hopes that it will continue to exist and spark curiosity and inspiration for many years to come.
 
-DIMENSIONS-
Ad: 6'' x 9''