Faksimile of Edward "Ned" Kelly Letter

Facsimilie of Request of prisoner Edward Kelly to be allowed to interview with his mother and sister

This facsimile of Edward “Ned” Kelly’s letter is “MADE BY THE MEN OF THE CENTRAL PRISON PENTRIDGE TO AID THE NATIONAL TRUST OF VICTORIA.”

It was produced possibly around 1972, when the National Trust of Victoria assumed management of Old Melbourne Gaol.

Dated 19 July 1880, the original document—written on blue paper—was dictated by Kelly while he was recuperating in the hospital at Melbourne Gaol. In it, Kelly requests permission to meet with his mother and sister in order to arrange legal representation for his forthcoming trial.

Kelly marked the letter with a cross in place of a signature, witnessed by a prison warden. Printed regulations governing prisoner correspondence appear at the top of the page, while annotations by senior officials—including John Castieau—appear on the reverse. Castieau directed that any family conference be supervised.

The facsimile includes a seal applied to the lower right corner of the front page.

The original letter is held by Public Record Office Victoria.

Sheriff forwards request of prisoner Edward Kelly to be allowed an interview with his mother and sister; 80/R7154 4967/P0000, 28