BRITAIN’S most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson is fuming personal letters to his wife, artwork and even cards he sent to his mum have been sold on eBay.
The 73-year-old is said to be stewing after personal items such as letters and artworks have turned up for sale on the online auction house.
Charles Bronson has been in jail for more than 50 years
A quick search shows listings like £3,065 for an A4 drawing titled ‘A Day In The Life Of A Life’Credit: EBay
Charles’ friends said he’s upset that these sales don’t go towards his charityCredit: EBay
Charles finds it ‘demoralising’ that his personal correspondence is being floggedCredit: EBay
A quick search shows listings like £3,065 for an A4 drawing titled ‘A Day In The Life Of A Life’ and £2,862 for a sketch for a friend called John.
But Charles’ friends told The Sun of the inmate’s frustrations – with him upset that these sales don’t go towards his charity.
Nik Cornwell, friends with Charles and soon to become his art representative, told The Sun that even cards he sent to has mum from jail have ended up for sale.
And meanwhile, Richard Booth, who has been friends with Charles for 14 years and became his power of attorney in 2023, said the prisoner turned artists feels “frustrated” and “commodified”.
He said he wants protect Charles from people who want to “take advantage of him”.
Charles’s team have recently set up a charity called the Born For Art Foundation – and they want any proceeds from sales of the prisoner’s paintings and sketches to go into the fund.
The charity is aimed at supporting children and young people.
Richard, a 54-year-old art teacher, told The Sun: “He used to send things out to people for safekeeping and those people, for whatever reason, have sold them.
“We find a lot of things that come up on eBay, some personal letters, cards, things like that – even letters to his late wife.”
Richard met Charles in 2012 while providing educational resources to HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire where he was being held at the time.
Instantly impressed with Charles’ artwork, their relationship grew and now, as his attorney, he reports the eBay listings when he finds them.
Richard explains that Charles finds it “demoralising” that his personal correspondence is being monetary gain.
He said: “These people are supposed to have Charlie’s best interest at heart. It’s a disgrace.
“He’s not a commodity, he’s a person. It just so happens that he’s in prison.”
There are countless items for sale online, ranging from hand-drawn birthday cards as well as personalised artworks to his friends, such Jan Lamb, a close associate and supporter of his.
Charles’ artworks are currently on display at Lily Selavie gallery owned by Nik CornwellCredit: Doug Seeburg
A quarter of art sales goes towards Charles charity Born For ArtCredit: Doug Seeburg
Richard Booth, a 54-year-old art teacher, became his power of attorney in 2023Credit: Doug Seeburg
But now, Charles sends his art to Richard so it can be properly stored and sold through their Born for Art foundation to support children in need.
Established in 2023, the foundation has provided young people in need with access to art supplies, equipment, and interactive resources by selling Charles’ artwork and putting 25 per cent of the profits towards the charity.
Richard claims that art has enabled Charles to rehabilitate himself and it’s this artistic, charitable side to him that he wants to be his “legacy”.
However, he thinks those selling his artwork without his approval are diverting money away from the charity.
“They just want to make a quick buck and take advantage,” Richard said.
“It is sad. I hope whoever is selling [the items] will do the right thing and put some money to our charity.”
Richard added: “If this was 15 years ago he would’ve kicked off but I think he takes it with a pinch of salt nowadays.
“He is probably annoyed that people have written to him asking for things that have ended up listed on social media or auction sites.
“It frustrates me more than him and is a testament to him and how he’s changed.
In 2014, he changed his name to Charles Salvador after his artistic inspiration Salvador DaliCredit: Doug Seeburg
Richard claims that art has enabled Charles to rehabilitate himselfCredit: PA
“Little things like his mail going missing or being delayed would have made him flown off the handle and probably react pretty badly.
“But in at least the last nine, ten years, [art has] allowed him to take stock, breathe about it, and think of the bigger picture as opposed to short-term solutions.”
Richard added: “There’s the old tagline ‘Charles Bronson, Britain’s most dangerous and notorious prisoner’, but I see the real person.”
For years, Charles has been trying to shake off the Bronson brand, stay out of trouble within prison, and focus on his artwork.
In 2014, he changed his name to Charles Salvador, after his artistic inspiration Salvador Dali, and has been spending the endless hours locked up in a cell drawing.
Thanks to Richard’s work trying to get people to “notice the art, not the man” – and due to the famous lag’s notoriety – interest in his artwork is picking up.
His drawings are proving very popular, with people buying up collections of his work at auction for £30,000.
Charles has been trying to shake off the Bronson brand and focus on his artworkCredit: Alamy
A total of 79 artworks are on display at Lily Selavie Gallery in PeckhamCredit: Doug Seeburg
Despite being incarcerated for over 50 years, Charles has exhibited his work five times throughout the UK – the most recent is being held in London.
Since February 13, a total of 79 artworks, from A4 to A2 pieces, have been on display at Lily Selavie Gallery in Peckham and drawn in a busy crowd, according to curator Nik.
The artworks are for sale, with prices ranging from £1750 to £6950 and a quarter of the profits going to Born For Art.
To help Richard cope with the large amounts of art Charles sends to him, Nik, 56, is currently in the processing of becoming his art representative and will have the exclusive rights to display and sell Charles’ artworks.
Nik said: “I don’t think he’s had a fair time in prison.
“He’s a very intelligent man. The more that people see his artwork, the more they understand he’s more than a prisoner.
“He’s very much changed. Charlie Bronson is dead – he died in 2014 which corresponds with the last time he had an incident.
“He’s had an enlightenment.”
As an artist and educator, Nik believes that Charles’ art allows him “catharsis” and wants to ensure it reaches a bigger market where it’s properly valued.
“I think art has allowed him to rehabilitate and feel more calm himself.
“The art speaks for itself. I’ve made sure it’s gone to a bigger market and the price reflects that.”
Who is Charles Bronson?
was born on December 6, 1952, with the local quickly turning to fights in his youth.
He was first imprisoned in 1974.
Armed robber Bronson has seen his sentence repeatedly increased for attacking staff and taking them hostage.
, he said: “I’m a nice guy, but sometimes I lose all my senses and become nasty.
“That doesn’t make me evil, just confused”.
a number of times, with his different titles defining certain periods in his life.
Born Michael Gordon Peterson, he changed his name to Charles Bronson during a short stint of freedom in 1987.
He turned to bareknuckle boxing, where his promoter gave him the name Charles Bronson, after the Hollywood actor.
However, he returned to prison in 1988.
The criminal briefly converted to in 2001 and became known as Charles Ali Ahmed after marrying Fatema Saira Rehman – a woman who had started to write to him during his time behind bars.
He was the subject of the 2008 film Bronson starring , which detailed his life and time in jail.
Hardy spoke to Bronson over the phone in order to prepare for the role.
In August 2014, Charles announced he was legally changing his name to Charles Salvador – a tribute to the artist
He has – his first marriage was in 1971 before his first arrest.
Why is he in prison?
was first sentenced to seven years in jail after being convicted of armed robbery in 1974 – which was extended by nine months after he attacked a fellow prisoner with a glass jug.
He later attempted to strangle Gordon Robinson while at , before causing £250,000 worth of damage when he staged a three-day protest on a rooftop.
The serial was eventually released in 1987 – it was then he changed his name to Charles Bronson on the advice of his bare-knuckle boxing promoter.
But it was not long before he was back in jail, after robbing a jewellery shop in 1988 and sentenced to seven more years inside.
Bronson was released early from his sentence in 1992 – but was back behind bars 53 days later for intent to commit robbery.
After holding three men hostage in his cell, the Luton lad saw another seven years added to his sentence – although this was cut to five on appeal.
Following further incidents, he was finally given a after kidnapping prison teacher in 1999, causing destruction to the prison.
After being held at a number of prisons across the country – including – he returned to HM Prison Woodhill in 2018, where Bronson is still incarcerated.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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