Sid Vicious’ bail sign-in spiral-bound book, 6 x 9, signed an incredible 16 times as “John Ritchie” on the first lined page. Labeled on the front cover, “Sid Vicious, John S. Ritchie sign–in–book, AKA Sid Vicious.” Stapled on the inside front cover is a notice which reads, “When Sid Vicious is released—Conditions of bail—He will sign in before 1500 hours Mon—Wed and Friday. Non appearance to be reported immediately to ADA Sullivan or weekends to the ‘Duty ADA.’” Written at the bottom of the same sheet, “Must sign in by 3pm Mon Wed Fri.” On the adjacent page, Vicious has signed in 16 days, dating from November 22, 1978 to December 7, 1978, adding the date and sign-in time to each line; each signature is then attested to by a detective witness. The entry for December 8, 1978 states “Bail revoked by Judge Ellerinm remanded to jail.” The next entry on January 16, 1979 indicates “Released on $60,000 bail Judge Leff.” One week later an entry indicates “Still on Rikers Island.” The final entry, dated February 1, 1979, reads, “Released on Bail—Sgt. Kilroy.” A small slip stapled to the second page reads, “12/7/78 Arrested by 20 PIU at 3 H/z for Fel. A.” In fine condition, with its original Christie’s East auction tag affixed to the spiral binding.
The chronology of events leading up to the arrest of Sid Vicious for the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen was a harrowing roller coaster ride of self-destructive, drug-fueled behavior; one that escalated rapidly when Vicious was recruited as the Sex Pistols bassist in February 1977, even though he didn’t know how to play the instrument. Once Sid joined the band, his chaotic mindset spilled on to the concert stage, inciting violence and near-riots by spitting and hurling insults at audience members.
Meeting Nancy, an emotionally disturbed drug addict and sometimes-prostitute, in the spring of 1977 was the touchstone event that set Sid on the downward spiral and heroin addiction that would ultimately kill him. The emotional codependency of the couple alienated Vicious from the other members of the band. As Johnny Rotten later wrote, “We did everything to get rid of Nancy…She was killing him…She was so utterly f****d up and evil.”
In August 1978, Sid and Nancy moved to New York City. In October, while shopping with friends, Nancy would buy Sid a small knife; two days later she was found dead in the couple’s room at the Chelsea Hotel, having bled to death from a small cut in her abdomen. The circumstances of Spungen’s death are confusing and contradictory. Vicious offered several accounts of what occurred to detectives who arrived at the scene, first telling them that he didn’t know what happened and he wished that they would shoot him, later saying she must have fallen on the knife. He recounted an argument as Nancy was sitting on the edge of the bed flicking the knife, then waking up in the morning, seeing the bed wet with blood and finding Nancy alive, but with a stab wound. He denied stabbing her various times, but later confessed, “I stabbed her but I didn’t mean to kill her. I loved her, but she treated me like shit.”
Charged with second-degree murder, Viscious was sent to the hospital detox wing on Riker’s Island, while manager Malcolm McLaren appealed to Virgin Records for $50,000 bail. The money was wired and Sid was released on October 17, but five days later attempted suicide by slashing a wrist and consuming his entire methadone supply.
On December 7, he was arrested on felony assault charges after being involved in a fight. The next day he was remanded back to Riker’s Island for a compulsory, seven-week detox program. According to the sign-in entry dated January 16, 1979, he was released on $60,000 bail, but the next entry, dated January 23, it is noted “Still on Riker’s Island.” Presumably Vicious could have stayed at Riker’s on his accord to complete the detox program.
Upon release on February 1, 1979, Sid took heroin given to him by his mother, demanded more, then collapsed but insisted he was alright. He ingested more of the drug and was later found dead by his mother. Six days later, Sid was cremated; his mother would later scatter the ashes over Nancy’s grave…a sad yet poignant ending to a short and tumultuous career. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.
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