Group of four items related to the Flemington, NJ. "Trial Of The Century" which newspaper writer H.L. Mencken called "The Biggest Story Since The Resurrection." The crime caused Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act, commonly known as the "Lindbergh Law." After a two-year investigation, Bruno Hauptmann was arrested and charged. The trial was held near Lindbergh's home in the small town of Flemington from Jan. 2 to Feb. 13, 1935. Hauptmann was convicted of first degree murder and executed by electrocution at the New Jersey State Prison on April 3, 1936. The 20-month-old son of the famed aviator was taken from the second story bedroom of his Hopewell, NJ. home the night of May 1, 1932. A crudely made ladder was used to gain access and a ransom note left demanding $50,000. The ransom was paid, but the baby apparently died the night of his abduction and his body was found nearby on May 12. The passing of a marked ransom bill at a service station resulted in Hauptmann's arrest and a search of his home and garage uncovered $14,590 of additional marked bills. Hauptmann claimed the money had been left by a friend and former business partner Isidor Fisch who had returned to Germany and died in March, 1934. In return for Hauptmann's story rights, William Randolph Hearst's tabloid newspaper "The Daily Mirror" hired Edward J. "Death House" Reilly, a flamboyant lawyer not known for his competence. The trial became a sensation and the town of Flemington was overwhelmed by reporters and celebrities all seeking court house passes to witness the proceedings. These four items, long ago, came from the estate of Joseph Connolly, named on the "Official Pass/Hauptmann Trial, Flemington, N.J." Connolly became the General Manager of Hearst's King Features Syndicate in 1928 and the KFS President in 1934. He also headed Hearst's International News Service. The stiff thin cardboard pass is 3.5x4.5". It bears serial number "441" which has a slash of ink across the number as a cancellation mark. The pass was issued/filled out by the Sheriff of Hunterdon County who signed above his title "John W. Curtiss." He also wrote "Press Pass" in ink at upper right above the words "Official Pass." On the date line the sheriff entered "Jan 23/35" and at upper left he wrote "Good Only Jan. 24 and 25." The pass is made out to "Mr. Connolly and Wife." Exc. The Connolly's daughter Jacky was also in Flemington and the following two items are pages from her autograph book. Each is 4-5/8x5-5/8" slightly glossy paper. The first has a profile sketch, likely done in the courtroom, in blue ink of Hauptmann captioned "Major/Flemington" This sketch is by Henry Major, a prominent caricaturist and portrait artist employed by the Hearst newspapers. Back of sheet has unrelated penciling, which made a few small and trivial raised lines on the side with the art. A great likeness, capturing Hauptmann's profile exactly as shown in his police arrest photo. The third piece is another sheet from Jacky's album. This is signed by three celebrities plus Hauptmann's lead counsel Edward J. Reilly. The first inscription is "To Jacky - Adela Rogers St. John." She was a journalist, novelist and screenwriter noted for a distinctive, emotional style which she employed in her reports on the Hauptmann trial. Below her, Hauptmann"s attorney signed "Edward J. Reilly -(Defense – Chief Counsel)." Below is signature of "Hyman Bushel" who added "On A Vacation." Bushel's clients included fight promoter Tex Rickard and he once defended Babe Ruth against a rape charge in 1922 that Ruth dismissed as blackmail. The final signature, in pencil rather than blue ink like the others, is "Damon Runyon." He was for many years a famous baseball (and boxing) writer for the Hearst newspapers and famous for his short stories focusing on New York City in the prohibition era. The musical "Guys And Dolls" is based on his stories. The back of the page has a four-line verse written to and about Jacky Connolly, referencing her "Pink Dress And Pink Bow" and states "Hoping You Will See Yale Beat 'The Army' Some Day." The signature appears to read "Tom Mieghan." Front of sheet has two tiny 1/8" spots, minor handling creases and slightly uneven left edge where removed from album. The last item is an amazing testament to what you do not want in an defense attorney. It is an 8.5x11" sheet of stationery w/printed text "Office Of Edward J. Reilly - Chief Defense Counsel" w/bold title across the top "The Lindbergh-Hauptmann Trial - Flemington N.J." On the left side, in red, is a 6.75" tall depiction of the homemade ladder supposedly used by his client Hauptmann to access the second story window of the Lindbergh home. This ladder was a major piece of evidence that led to Hauptmann's conviction and execution. Paper has two vertical and one horizontal fold lines and the reverse has upper right (1/6 of the area) thin layer of tan glue stain from apparent scrapbook mounting long ago. The front of the paper does not show this stain and has only the lightest traces of general all over age toning. The stationery is an audacious illustration of how Reilly failed to serve the interests of his client. This sheet and the other three unique pieces are remarkable artifacts from one of the most infamous crimes in American history.