The Philadelphia Poison Ring was a murder for hire gang led by Italian immigrant cousins, Herman and Paul Petrillo who were involved in insurance scams, counterfeiting, and murder. The ring came to light in 1938 and the cousins were ultimately convicted of first degree murder and executed by electric chair in 1941. A Russian-Jewish immigrantContinue reading “The Philadelphia Poison Ring – 21 Incredible Mugshots of Criminals in the Late 1930s”
Category Archives: law & criminal
14 Amazing Images Showing the American Wild West
The American frontier, also known as the Old West or the Wild West, includes the geography, history, folklore, and culture in the forward wave of American expansion in mainland North America that began with European colonial settlements in the early 17th century and ended with the admission of the last few western territories as statesContinue reading “14 Amazing Images Showing the American Wild West”
20 Amazing Mugshots of American Women in the 1960s
The police mugshot photograph was developed as early as the mid-nineteenth century, and it has since developed as an iconic photographic type in its own right. Formulaic and recognized the world over, it was developed when the Victorian fascination of labelling and categorizing of people was at its height. Remarkably, the mugshot photograph has changedContinue reading “20 Amazing Mugshots of American Women in the 1960s”
23 Vintage Photos of Outlaw Jesse James From the Late 19th Century
Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla, and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the “Little Dixie” area of western Missouri, James and his family maintained strong Southern sympathies. He and his brother Frank James joined pro-Confederate guerrillas known as “bushwhackers” operatingContinue reading “23 Vintage Photos of Outlaw Jesse James From the Late 19th Century”
43 Amazing Mugshots Of Criminals From The Early 20th Century
Photos via Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
23 Extraordinary Mugshots of Turn-of-the-Century Prisoners
“Some years ago I discovered a cache of glass negative mug shots taken in the early 20th century; each negative was inscribed with the man’s name and alleged crime. In order to research the life of each man pictured in the 500 negatives, I spent the next three years traveling back and forth from NewContinue reading “23 Extraordinary Mugshots of Turn-of-the-Century Prisoners”
22 Amazing Photos Show What America Looked Like When Alcohol Was Illegal During the 1920s and 1930s
The prohibition of alcohol in the United States lasted for 13 years during the 1920s and 30s. It is one of most famous—or infamous—times in recent American history. While the intention was to reduce the consumption of alcohol by eliminating businesses that manufactured, distributed, and sold it, the plan backfired. Considered by many as aContinue reading “22 Amazing Photos Show What America Looked Like When Alcohol Was Illegal During the 1920s and 1930s”
17 Haunting Mugshots of Women in the Early 1900s
(Photos from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums)
18 Amazing Mugshots of Men and Women From Sacramento during the Early 20th Century
Murder and mayhem have long fascinated photographers and film aficionados, and are also inextricably linked with collectors of vernacular photography. But, how did the mugshot become a fine-art collectible? For New York-based collector and curator Mark Michaelson the answer is personal. In an interview with the New York Daily News he noted, “I’m looking forContinue reading “18 Amazing Mugshots of Men and Women From Sacramento during the Early 20th Century”
