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1907 BERTILLON ASSULT & ROBBERY MUG SHOT PHOTOGRAPH
Bertillon photographs were used to identify criminals before fingerprinting. This example measures 3 1/4" x 5 1/4". The heavy blue LINEN envelope with matching #12,664 measures 4" x 9 ˝". The information on the back is from the Detective Bureau, Police Department, City of New York. It lists Bertillon measurements of the head, trunk, arms, foot, etc.
It also describes the young criminal as follows: Name—WILLIAM STAFFORD, Crime--ASSULT & ROBBERY, Age--24, Born--NEW YORK, Occupation--LABORER, Date of Arrest—16 July 1907. Also lists arresting officers, height, weight, build, hair and eye color, etc. The back of this photo even gives a description of a TATTOO on William Stafford’s right arm with “W.J.S., EAGLE, 1901, UNION & LIBERTY ON RIBBON."
Additionally, this interesting Bertillon photo is rarer than most because ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BLUE ENVELOPE IS A SHORT NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DETAILING THE SPECIFICS SURROUNDING THE ARREST OF STAFFORD. It really works to bring the photo to life. Stafford was carrying a concealed weapon. The same suspect number 12,664 is written on the newspaper clipping in ink.
This Bertillon photo is creased vertically down the center (see scan). The crease has broken through the photo on the front. There are some chips and spots on the blue paper-covered linen envelope but it is made of quite sturdy material. There is one small tape repair on the reverse of the newspaper article.
This is an interesting & unusual early New York City item. The young criminal wears a jaunty Derby hat in one photo.
Price= $95.00
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