Vintage Mug Shots

Early 20th century vintage mug shot photographs. The use of photography in the justice system became prevalent later in the 19th century, as they felt the documentation of physical traits could help predict criminal tendencies. Alphonse Bertillion, a clerk in the Parisian police department developed the mug shot, a format which features a frontal and profile image of the subject. Coupled with a system of identifying facial measurements, this tracking system was adopted by the Chicago Police Department in 1894.

Information on verso identifies the man as Donald C. Sypherd, a wanted prisoner who escaped from the Nebraska State Penitentiary on August 15, 1953.

From the collection of Police Chief Michael Webb (1950-2009). Webb joined the Vinita Park, Missouri police force in 1974 and served until his death in 2009, during which time he purchased crime artifacts from relatives of criminals and law officers. Boasting more than 8,000 wanted posters, pieces of Webb’s collection have been featured in film and displayed at the National Crime and Punishment Museum in Washington.

Measuring approximately 3.5 x 5.5 inches, this photograph is in overall very good condition, with expected light age wear.