Mid Century Authentic Mug Shots 1950’s
“I recognize in thieves, traitors, & murderers, in the ruthless & the cunning, a deep beauty – a sunken beauty’. – Jean Genet, The Thief’s Journal
Series of 25 authentic American b&w. photographic mug shots, measuring 4.5 x 2.25 each approximately (sizes vary for each). These are authentic dark room prints, not digital reproductions. Almost in excellent condition; some have creases or mild wear. Please ask for details of condition if desired. None have writing or info on the backs.
Asking USD$30 each.
“Hookers, stooges, grifters & goons. Pinks, sneaks, looks & miscreants. These are the Least Wanted. Men & women. Elderly & adolescent. Rich & poor. Mostly poor. ” – ‘Least Wanted. A Century of American Mugshots’, Steid Kasher, 2006
Mugshots are police photographs of a person after arrest for a crime. They are used by law enforcement to create a photographic record of individuals to aid in identification by investigators, crime victims and the public at large.
Photographing criminals began in the 1840’s, shortly after the invention of photography. French criminologist Alphonse Bertillon standardised the mug shot photography process of criminal identification in 1888 into what is commonplace today.
The mugshot standard is a two-part image combining a photograph from the front with a side view. The photographs are typically taken against a simple background in order to not distract from the facial image. Often the arrested person holds a placard with their name, booking ID and other identifying information.
It is believed that the two-part image was originally inspired by Alexander Gardner’s 1865 prisoner portraits of the accused conspirators in the Abraham Lincoln assassination trials.
Beyond their use in law enforcement, mugshots have permeated pop culture and art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2016 exhibition “Crimes Stories: Photography and Foul Play” highlighted works inspired by the criminal underworld including art by: Richard Avedon, Larry Clark, Walker Evans, John Gutmann, Andy Warhol, and Weegee.
https://www.metmuseum.org/press/exhibitions/2016/crime-stories