When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Original c.1895–1915 reward broadside — Branchville, South Carolina.
Issued by H. S. Byrd offering $25 for the arrest of S. J. Connor/Conner (described as ~5’6”, 120 lbs, clean-shaven, “follows the shoe business,” “dresses very neat”). Directions include “Wire the Bank of Branchville… as to the surety of the reward.” Fantastic local banking + crime history on the same sheet.
Why it matters: The Bank of Branchville operated by the 1890s and is documented in period directories and newspapers. “H. S. Byrd” lines up with Harry S. Byrd of Branchville (WWI veteran, local American Legion officer; longtime town figure), which helps date and locate the piece.
Size: approx. 11” x 8⅜” (see ruler photos). Single-sided on period, wood-pulp paper in black ink.
Condition: Displays like a survivor. Overall even toning, edge nicks/short tears, small losses at corners, scattered smudges/ink offset, old moisture stains to upper back from past mounting, pencil notes on reverse (appear to read a name/address and a date). Lies flat; no modern backing. See all photos—sold as found.
Provenance/notes: Typography, phrasing (“Wire the Bank…”, “false pretense”) and paper stock are consistent with late-1890s/early-1900s small-press broadsides. Not a modern reprint.
Shipping: Ships flat, archival sleeve between rigid boards.
Keywords: wanted poster, reward poster, broadside, Orangeburg County, Bamberg, South Carolina ephemera, bank advertising, law & order, telegraph history.
Obtained from the estate of a life long west coast ephemera dealer & collector. Check out my store for more amazing pieces from the same collection.
