Colourwash drawing of James Holland

A colourwash drawing of James Holland, in the background is an image of him hanging from a gallows. Beneath the picture are the words 'James Holland was executed on Bolton Moor Sepr 18th 1786 for Croft-breaking. The picture is mounted on gold card and at some point has been hung from green rope. This image was reproduced on page 22 of the Bleachers' Association 25th anniversary company history, 'Concerning the Bleaching Industry', where the following details are given, 'A man, James Holland, whose portrait is here reproduced, was, in 1786, executed on Bolton Moor for the theft of thirty yards of cloth value 2/- a yard from a neighbouring croft. In a report of the incident it is stated 'in order that the most should be made of the impressive effect, the employers of the neighbourhood had their servants and workpeople assembled on the spot to witness the spectacle, and on the following Sunday the Reverend E. Whitehead, then Vicar of Bolton, improved the occasion by preaching a sermon on the recent execution.'