Description

An exclusive limited edition photograph by Photojournalist Arthur Steel.

Gangland Killer Ronnie Kray stares into Arthur Steel’s camera during his four minute wedding ceremony to Elaine Kray inside Broadmoor Hospital in 1985.

Arthur recalls: “I had met the Kray’s on a few occasions, both on business and socially. Whenever I was invited to one of their functions I found it very difficult to turn them down, as you didn’t want to upset either of them. Ronnie’s marriage was a big story for the Newspaper and I was chosen to take the official pictures. For security reasons the ceremony only lasted for four minutes and in order to secure exclusive photographs we had to pay Ronnie a lump sum of money. Another photographer was sent along to accompany me, but not to take pictures, he was there to ensure everything went smoothly and help carry my camera bags and the cash. Whenever I look at this picture, the awkwardness of the situation still strikes me. Here are these notorious gangsters, with prison officers and the prison’s governor all confined together in the same makeshift registry office. Ronnie’s brother Charlie is there, along with Jo Pyle and Alex Steene (both renowned for promoting unlicensed boxing). I’m sure that these three men didn’t want to be in or anywhere near a high-security psychiatric hospital. And then you have the innocent smile on Elaine’s face which is in complete contrast to the haunting stare of Ronnie’s. It’s a fascinating insight into the underworld. And why somebody with such strong homosexual tendancies was getting married to a woman is beyond me. Then again, he had been certified insane.”

Published Text:

Ronnie Kray Wedding – published 12/02/1985
Gangland killer Ronnie Kray with his bride Elaine Mildener yesterday at Broadmoor top-security mental hospital. The 51-year-old former East London villain wed divorcee Elaine, 29, in the first marriage ceremony held inside the Berkshire “prison.” Afterwards Ronnie smiled broadly and said: “This is the happiest day of our lives.” Mother-of-two Elaine, wearing a stunning silver fox-fur stole and blue silk dress, declared: “It’s wonderful.” Ronnie’s twin brother Reggie was not allowed to leave Parkhurst prison, Isle of Wight, for the four-minute ceremony. Both men have served 16 years of 30-year murder sentences.

✓ Exceptionally rare limited edition photograph.
✓ Direct from the photographer Arthur Steel.
✓ Non licensable images.
✓ Printed by Metro Imaging.
✓ Hand signed by Arthur Steel.
✓ Video of Arthur Steel signing your print(s).
✓ Certificate of Authenticity.
✓ Free worldwide delivery.
✓ Tracked & signed for delivery.
✓ Paypal Pro protection.
✓ Secure SSL payment protection.
✓ 14 day money back guarantee.
✓ Excellent customer care and service.

Black & White Film Grain:
Arthur’s photographs were all captured on 35mm film, a fast medium grain film called ‘Kodak Tri-x Pan’ with an ISO speed of 400. It enabled photojournalists at the time to shoot in relatively low light conditions. Nowadays, we are used to grainless images even at an iso of 800 and above. The grain effect adds to the character and charm of the images and dates the pieces accordingly. Arthur’s images cannot to be compared to todays grainless digital technology.

Signed prints Vs. Unsigned prints:
Most artists sign their prints at the bottom right corner of the piece. By signing a print, the artist approves it, and, claims it as his or her own work. Signatures count for a lot on the print market since they add to the artwork’s authenticity. The value of a signed print is higher than the value of an unsigned print, so if you have a choice, it’s always better to acquire signed prints.

Limited editions Vs. Open editions:
As a rule limited edition prints are valued more highly and therefore are priced higher than the readily available open edition prints. Also, limited edition prints are collectible, which is not the case for open edition prints. Due to their scarcity, limited edition prints are prized, and collectors and art lovers will seek to create a collection of the same.

Camera: Leica 35mm.
Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan.
Location: Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, United Kingdom.
Year: 1985.
Collection: Platinum.
Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital.
Printed by: Metro Imaging.
Limited Editions:
All prints are limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold.
60″ prints / edition of 5
50″ prints / edition of 10
40″ prints / edition of 20
30″ prints / edition of 30
20″ prints / edition of 50
12″ prints / edition of 50
Bespoke: All prints are bespoke and printed to order.
Presentation: 12 and 20 inch prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper, supplied flat in an acid free 4mm 3-ply box for delivery and storage purposes. The boxes are ideal for gift wrapping. The larger 30, 40, 50 and 60 inch prints are also titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery.
Optional Dry Mounting for clients within the UK: Professional Dry Mounting of the larger print sizes can be arranged at no extra cost, the print would then be perfectly flat and ready for framing. However, this makes the overall size bulky and too fragile to send overseas. So, if you reside abroad, it is best that we send a rolled print directly to your chosen framer and you entrust them to carry out the works for you. We recommend that you check that your framer is fully insured as we cannot take responsibility for any damages that may occur during the mounting/framing process.
Delivery: Metro Imaging based in Central London use an experienced shipping service to deliver the boxed and rolled prints. Metro take great care in ensuring the print(s) are very well protected and efficiently delivered anywhere in the UK or overseas. Acid free tissue paper protects prints from scratching/creasing. Metro also offer a vast array of delivery options to suit the recipient’s preference.
Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Video of Authenticity: Newly printed bespoke prints are further authenticated by way of a short personalised video. Arthur Steel mentions your name on the recording prior to signing. For example, Arthur will say something like: “I’m signing this print of Ronnie Kray’s Wedding, edition number 2/20 for Mr. Smith in New York.” For your records, the footage is then sent to you via email.
Watermark: Watermarks will not be present on an original print.
Copyright: © Arthur Steel / The Arthur Steel Archive.

Biography: Reginald “Reggie” Kray (24 October 1933 – 1 October 2000) and his twin brother Ronald “Ronnie” Kray (24 October 1933 – 17 March 1995) were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London’s East End during the 1950s and 1960s. Ronald, commonly referred to as Ron or Ronnie, most likely suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. The Krays were involved in armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, violent assaults including torture and the murders of Jack “The Hat” McVitie and George Cornell. As West End nightclub owners, they mixed with prominent entertainers including Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and politicians. The Krays were highly feared within their social environment, and in the 1960s they became celebrities in their own right, being photographed by David Bailey and interviewed on television. They were arrested on 9 May 1968 and convicted in 1969 by the efforts of a squad of detectives led by Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read, and were both sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ronnie was certified insane and lived the remainder of his life in Broadmoor Hospital until his death on 17 March 1995.