Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson has raised thousands for charity by letting dozens of pieces of art he created behind bars go under the hammer. The 69-year-old – whose birth name is Michael Peterson but who now goes by his artist name Charles Salvador – had various sketches auctioned off on Wednesday, July 27.
The artwork fetched £2,655 despite only half the 30 lots presented being snapped up. The sale was carried out by Surrey-based Ewbank's Auctions and was in aid of mental health organisation Mind, as well as Hope House Hospice which supports seriously ill children.
A further two lots, including a Globa Louis XV Vintage watch and a black trilby hat, both worn by Bronson, fetched a further £680. Their sale made a grand total of £3,335, which will be split between the good causes.
Bronson, whose family hail from Aberystwyth, was initially jailed for seven years for armed robbery in 1974. But, aside from two brief stints on the outside, he's been banged up ever since for carrying out a number of violent attacks on prison staff whilst incarcerated.
Now a prolific artist, among the work up for grabs was a self-portrait in which he's pictured wearing a straitjacket and entitled Loonylogy. Another, named Insanity is a Way of Life, was based on a quote from Ronnie Kray – one half of notorious gangster siblings The Krays – with whom Bronson spent time at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital in late 1970s.
Richard Booth, who runs the Free Charlie Official (Charles Salvador) Facebook page, helped set up the sale. He said that although many of the lots didn't make the guide price the inmate would be very pleased with the result.
"We knew that it could go either way at auction and things may or may not sell, but Charlie will be chuffed with the amount raised," said the 50-year-old teacher trainer. The co-author of two books with Bronson detailing his turbulent time inside, he explained he first met him several years ago via a scheme working with young offenders.
"I'd helped secure funding for it and Charlie was only to keen to be a voice in deterring these kids from turning to crime. He's always quick to help and gives away stuff to charities all the time."
He added that he remained hopeful that Bronson, who is due to get a public parole hearing in December, would be a free man soon. "He's been locked up for far too long and has spent the last several years really keeping his nose clean – so fingers crossed."
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