Book of old mugshots?

fattkid · Mar 2012

I remember quite a while back, there was a discussion here about reference books of portraits or something along those lines. Someone had recommended a book of mugshots from the early 1900's. I checked out the book on Amazon, and it seemed cool, but alas, I didn't order it and I didn't put it on my wish list.

Can anybody remember that book, or recommend something similiar?

Or, in general, I'm looking for some books like that. Mugshots or pictures of unusual people from the 1800's and early 1900's. Or, cool portraits in general to I suppose, Why limit myself.

But ultimnately, a book of turn of the century pics and portraits of criminals, thugs, hooligans, scammers and ne'er-do-well's would be ideal!

Thanks for any suggestions....

Zwebbie · Mar 2012

I remember this having been discussed a while ago: http://www.laboiteverte.fr/portraits-de-criminels-australiens-dans-les-annees-1920/.

And a similar set: http://www.laboiteverte.fr/criminels-de-newcastle-en-1872/

firestarter · Mar 2012

Googling 'bertillon' will give you a whole bunch of retro mugshots too.

Jasp · Mar 2012

i have 3 books like that:

the first 2 are the ones made from the Sydney police archives (see the link Zwebbie gave you)
City of shadows:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/City-Shadows-Sydney-Photographs-1912-1948/dp/1876991208"]Amazon.com: City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948 (9781876991203): Peter Doyle: Books[/ame]

Crooks like us:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Crooks-Like-Us-Peter-Doyle/dp/1876991348/ref=pd_sim_b_2"]Amazon.com: Crooks Like Us (9781876991340): Peter Doyle: Books[/ame]

and the other one is "Least Wanted":
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/LEAST-WANTED-Mark-Michaelson/dp/3865212913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331182560&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: LEAST WANTED (9783865212917): Mark Michaelson, Steven Kasher, Bob Nickas: Books[/ame]

all of them are pretty cool, i honestly don't know which one i would recommend the most

EDIT: holy shit, what's up with the prices ?!

fattkid · Mar 2012

Awesome! Thank you guys. I think that least Least Wanted book was the one I remember seeing last time. Although, it looks like I'll be passing on Crooks Like Us, at least for the time being.....

Those links are great also. Wanna do some ZBrush character studies with hthese. Seems like much fun.

RyanB · Mar 2012

Check out Weegee for some classic crime scene photography. Lots of books of his photos have been published. He was a big inspiration for the look and feel of many film noir movies.

Dorothea Lange took a lot of photos during the Depression. Her portraits show people that had to struggle every day of their lives. If you are looking for faces with character check out her photos.

Book of old mugshots?

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