A funny thing happens when you look through vintage photographs. As you inspect the century-old, cracked and creased images all awash with silvery gelatin, you expect the people to somehow look different than modern-day man. But in these photographs from Sydney’s police department, posted by La boite verte, almost every face looks like someone you might know. Though we may never know the truth, each facial expression carefully conceals the story of the individuals’ run-in with the law.
Even though these photographs were created before the Internet was an idea, they serve as precursors to popular blogs like The Sartorialist in which individuals are documented in situ wearing their everyday clothing. Many of these hairstyles and cuts of clothing wouldn’t be out of place in today’s urban fashion scene. We think of fashion in the past as intricately tailored and polished, a result of the impeccably costumed, Hollywood historical films made in the present day. So there’s something painfully honest about seeing early 20th century images of real people, disheveled and vulnerable.
250 comments
Sign in to add your ownekra says:
You're right! I do always imagine people of the past as pressed and perfect as they appear in the movies. These photos are an awesome reminder that people are actually human, no matter when they lived.
1 year ago
JudiPaintedit says:
Why do people (mostly) never smile in vintage photos??? Always wondered that....
1 year ago
WalterSilva says:
Nice!
1 year ago
linguaNigra says:
vintage photos took much longer to develop. It's a lot easier to stand with a blank expression for an hour than smile for that long! I love the pictures of the cross dressers!
1 year ago
kmariedesignz says:
Like JudiPaintedit, I wonder why they never smiled...was it because they didn't have the "dental" technology we do today???
1 year ago
kmariedesignz says:
Love the article!
1 year ago
Krystyna81 says:
F Murray has serious hair. I wonder if he used Mousse.... LOVED these...thank you
1 year ago
AntiqueAttic says:
Ok I must just be really disheveled because I still think these ppl look amazing and they're in jail! lol...I think I had imagined them looking like winos.
1 year ago
sgcc says:
Great photographs, nice post.
1 year ago
SeahorseFeather says:
Wow The Hair! LOVE this Article! So Entertaining~Thank you! :)
1 year ago
morganong17 says:
More than dental reasons, I've read they didn't smile because the film exposure took so long in cameras back them. If you smiled, you would have to hold it for a long time - which was uncomfortable. It was easier to sit still and stoic. Occasionally you'll see a really old picture of someone who made the effort to smile. It either looks forced or it has blurred their face.
1 year ago
papercutworks says:
I love Fay Watson's diptych. Timeless!
1 year ago
VintageMarketPlace says:
i find it so interesting to see all the ladies up to no good. Prim and Proper is what history leads us to believe. These pictures tell a whole other story. Great piece
1 year ago
aorta says:
so awesome.
1 year ago
morganong17 says:
Though, I could be way off the mark. Either way - amazing pictures. Thanks!
1 year ago
thehattersmadness says:
it was a simpler time but alot harder maybe that's it, no real creature comforts. i don't know
1 year ago
TheLovelyJumble says:
I love old photographs! I especially like the man who refused to open his eyes! What a motley gang of ne'er do wells! Fabulous article, thank you. (well put, morganong17, I was just about to add something similar about long exposure times, no need to now! :)
1 year ago
SallysJewelsandgems says:
Very interesting.
1 year ago
MaisonPaulette says:
I'm captivated - some of them look so "today". Very interesting!! Thanks so much for this post!
1 year ago
SouthernScrapper says:
How interesting!
1 year ago
VisualResistance says:
This is fantastic in so many ways.
1 year ago
GoodTimeJunkin says:
Amazing portraiture without all the posing and hair and makeup. Just true grit honest photography of real people.
1 year ago
kyndralynn says:
I do love seeing old pictures! I have a lot of old family photos where everyone is smiling. Keep in mind that these photos capture people's run in with the law. I wouldn't be smiling either! ;)
1 year ago
eastbaycalifornia says:
I love this article! Are those really crossdressers?
1 year ago
maclancy says:
These are serious great images! Most likely large format glass negatives due to the amazing clarity. The photographer was no nonsense and still managed to capture some essence that one gets rarely through the lens. Thank you so much for the article. I Love (with a passion) any articles with vintage photos. I agree w Goodtimejunkin.. true grit portraiture!
1 year ago
jewelrybyallison says:
Thanks so much for sharing, these are amazing!
1 year ago
TwinkleStarCrafts says:
Amazing images. Some people show pain, others delight. It is all fascinating.
1 year ago
3pearls says:
I love the guy that won't open his eyes :) Don't you kind of want to know what their crimes were?
1 year ago
funkomavintage says:
since it began....I've been lost for hours and hours in this archival site.....it's the best people-watching...
1 year ago
jammerjewelry says:
Crazy Cool, wonderfull article. Thanks.
1 year ago
pottersong says:
Old Photos are always intresting.
1 year ago
AWishForYou says:
So strange - a mixture of fear and strength in all these faces. What happened next to these people - I would love to know.
1 year ago
HandmadeHandsome says:
Looking at people will never be dull. These photos make me wonder about the stories behind them.
1 year ago
beadstylin says:
Fascinating! Loved the guy with the Lyle Lovett hair!
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
amazing photos! those dresses are so stunning!
1 year ago
CreaShines says:
Such a fascinating/inspirational post! Thanks for sharing this :)
1 year ago
BareNakedSheep says:
Thanks for posting this article, it's amazing.
1 year ago
bedouin says:
fantastic! E. Rolf looks a bit like Diane Arbus's Miss Cora Pratt the counterfeit lady Thanks for sharing such interesting photo's
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Great photos! It's always interesting to look into the past!
1 year ago
SpazMonki says:
amazing! I'd love to see more!
1 year ago
vitamini says:
These photos are so cool! You can see so much detail. They are especially interesting because of the jail-house context. I like the guy who "refused to open his eyes"! I love vintage photos too. I've bought a few old frames from thrift shops with black and white photos inside. I don't have the heart to take them out of the frames.
1 year ago
mpatrizio says:
These are so beautiful! I am so inspired! I love the big hair and wonderful shoes!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
These are wonderful! I want more
1 year ago
aynart says:
intense portraits. thank you so much.
1 year ago
StudioConestoga says:
These photos remind me to stay tuned for Underbelly Razor!...but what is it that the first Old images were always so confronting and ppl look so scary in them?... great to look though
1 year ago
TuscaloosaRoad says:
I love the photo of Fay Watson. She looks so demure. on a side note, I clicked on the 1916 San Francisco Police Mugshot in the "related items" and saw that the police officer is likely an ancestor of mine. How crazy is that?!
1 year ago
gfound says:
I had to see more, so I went to the website. Looks like these photos are also in a book called, City of Shadows. The website has more- some are heartbreaking, but I love the ones of the men in groups looking like it's all just part of a good night out.
1 year ago
EyeSigh says:
I love everyone of those photos and would love to own one!
1 year ago
ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Vera has my hair!
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Love, love, love this post! I could get lost in these kinds of pictures forever; what were their stories, who were they, what do they know, how are they different from me...
1 year ago
khobkhuncraft says:
this is cool !!
1 year ago
aprilheather says:
Incredible-LOVE these pics! I just want to draw each one~
1 year ago
ValerieGalloway says:
Mugs shots, or fashion shoot, you decide...
1 year ago
soulrust says:
This is great to see the average joe of the early 20th century!
1 year ago
odiliafu says:
Interesting photos! Just wondering the stories behind.
1 year ago
rarebeasts says:
Great photos, I'm going to have to get back down to the police museum again when I'm next in Sydney.
1 year ago
tfamily5 says:
Love it, they are beautiful!
1 year ago
elinart says:
Wonderful! Moving! :)
1 year ago
trafalgarssquare says:
More proof that the equipment is standard. I guess people haven't changed much. I feel bad for the coppers who had to tackle those burly Berthas there in the 10th photo...
1 year ago
sewingmachinegirl says:
Love these photos, I actually have the book from this exhibition, it's worth tracking down if you can find it and highly recommended! City of Shadows,Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948. Author: Peter Doyle with Caleb Williams.Publisher: Historic Houses Trust.ISBN 1-876991-20-8 www.hht.net.au cheers!
1 year ago
handmaderomance says:
thanks for sharing this. i have the published book of some of these pics - crooks like us, but hadnt been to the site. there are so many more females on the site than in the book. so interesting. i love the outfits of the day and their facial expressions. it leaves you questioning so much about them and their lives.
1 year ago
TripleGemini says:
So good!!! Thanks!
1 year ago
handmaderomance says:
oh i just saw sewingmachinegirl's comment. yes my book is also by peter doyle i forgot about his earlier book so obviously there are different pics in both... i must track down the other - thanks sewingmachinegirl.
1 year ago
blueflowervintage says:
I love love love love these!! Thank you!
1 year ago
TheNightjar says:
Awesome pictures that really bring you to a different time and space but still these photos reveal such intimacy...thanks so much for sharing!!
1 year ago
zwzzy says:
This is fantastic! I love looking through old photographs. The hair, fashion and buildings just give it such style.
1 year ago
halfmoonroad says:
I want more!
1 year ago
LittlePeaceTin says:
I've never seen photographs from that time with such a soul, photographs of that time depicting people as they actually were and not how they are portrayed in the movies. These are really beautiful and moving photographs that bring us a hint of how those times were. I love them.
1 year ago
WayaWolf says:
Wonderful photos.. Great clear image with interesting face expressions.. I wonder what they had in mind by the time when the pictures were taken. And I also wonder what they did.. Some people looks quite like a nice folks (picture n.7 for example)! Anyway, I love old photos (as well as other old things). I can spend hours just looking at old family photos, of my grandfather and his father and so.. It gives you some kind of connection with the past :-)
1 year ago
kade6767 says:
The photographer in each of these photos clearly had art on their mind. They are truly artistically stunning aside from the original reason of the photo. This is some of the best B&W portraiture of it's time.
1 year ago
72studios says:
incredible to see!
1 year ago
seesawvintage says:
this is seriously amazing! the photos are great, the quality is incredible, and the personality that comes through... WOW! i want to see more!
1 year ago
treasurebooth says:
I wonder if these are from the book I saw at a bookstore :) Captivating indeed. You can really see their souls (unlike photos today where so many people seem to want to appear a certain way).
1 year ago
jherrmann says:
So intriguing! I find myself not only wondering about the individuals but admiring their 1920s clothing. I love the guy who refused to open his eyes! I'm going to do the same thing if I ever get a mug shot :)
1 year ago
theroyal says:
i enjoy these images, they seem to be capturing these strange funny moment
1 year ago
SaraWen says:
Very interesting! I've always been very keen about old vintage photos and the clothing of the regular man or woman in the early 20th c. Thanks for sharing - great photos!
1 year ago
littlebuttons says:
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
oldecityvintage says:
Strangely inspiring. Thanks for posting.
1 year ago
IceCreamCandy says:
old photos are so beautiful!
1 year ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
Wow- the strength of those emotions really travels down the ages. Very powerful and haunting.
1 year ago
AmberGypsySky says:
love it
1 year ago
floodplainstudio says:
WOW, especially the hairstyles.
1 year ago
KylieO says:
Great post, I have been imagining the lives of each person and the reasons for the photos!
1 year ago
factorygirlashli says:
I really enjoyed this!
1 year ago
CollectibleMisc says:
I like to imagine myself being in that time, and wonder how different life might be?
1 year ago
grandmamarievintage says:
These photos are incredible! I love them all.
1 year ago
girlinacafe says:
I respectfully disagree, if one is familiar with this history of photography and costume these photographs are not unique. In art we have the genre of "ordinary people doing ordinary things" depicting real people in real situations. These photographs are in no way related to the The Sartorialist's current work, however they are similar to the work of Usher Fellig. Respectfully yours.
1 year ago
mcldrygoods says:
love fay watson's look. :)
1 year ago
mcldrygoods says:
@girlinacafe - agreed. though they are both anthropological, photographs of grifters and hoods in police photos are somewhat different than street fashion, specifically, one that often deal the current "society" looks. oh, how people get framed. :P
1 year ago
tuckooandmoocow says:
E. Rolfe's photo is haunting. Love this article!
1 year ago
jelene says:
I've always been fascinated with vintage photos... thanks for posting this!
1 year ago
necklush says:
amazing! fay watson photo rocks... these are great,thank you
1 year ago
ClaudiaLord says:
Emma Rolfe seems so ashamed. Wonder what she did.
1 year ago
Beteabon says:
I love seeing that people are people, and even without the fabulous photo equipment we have today..you can still see something of a person's soul in a photo. Unless they won't open their eyes. Great Article!!!
1 year ago
lisachun says:
i LOVE these vintage photographs. the quality of them,of the people captured in them, is amazing.
1 year ago
LilinovaDesigns says:
Wow! there is such a wealth of hidden emotion and some interesting stories I'm sure! ...But that F. Murray hair!!! Do you think he was hiding something in there???
1 year ago
LivingOnVelvet says:
LOVE these! Gotta track down that book!
1 year ago
withlovemandy says:
I LOVE this, I mean I really didn't think I would - but I'm honestly so amazed and intrigued right now. It had me feeling something I couldn't quite put my finger on, that's art!
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
love the old photos
1 year ago
DarwinsDress says:
Wow!! Those pictures are awesome!! I do think they all look pretty fabulous though, human yes, but their fashions are still superb! I want to give the lady in the hat and veil a hug. She definitely looks like she committed her crime out of necessity. Thanks for a thought provoking look at art.
1 year ago
bluebirdss says:
thats amazing!
1 year ago
NatureAngels says:
I guess the photographer just felt the need to capture the 2 cross dressers, because they are so stylish, not because they were arrested or anything? I want to give a few of them a big hug.
1 year ago
gaylepritchard says:
I absolutely love this! The faces are so telling. Thanks for sharing it!
1 year ago
buildforfun2007 says:
WOW.. Those are great pictures!! Thank-you for sharing that awsum collection!!
1 year ago
authorsdaughter says:
Thank you a great compilation of portraits leaves alot to the imagination...
1 year ago
AcadianCrochet says:
The shoes are awesome. I would wear those today. Nice Art Deco handbags too.
1 year ago
AcadianCrochet says:
The shoes are awesome. I would wear those today. Nice Art Deco handbags too.
1 year ago
WrenWillow says:
this was crazy cool!
1 year ago
arsniccandy says:
Some interesting looking individuals. I like:)
1 year ago
Emmamaha says:
I thoroughly enjoyed this. An interesting group of people, no doubt.. enjoyed peeking into their private frozen moments..
1 year ago
HulaGirl1922 says:
amazing... ♥
1 year ago
strawberrycouture says:
I always love looking at vintage photos whoever they belonged to. Technology may have change, but the human heart never does.
1 year ago
petsalad says:
soooo cool. always love to see my ancestry in their natural environment. thanks!
1 year ago
bethdortmund says:
Incredible photos! @ JudiPaintedit... the popular belief is that early photos (daguerreotypes) required the subjects to stand as still as possible for a couple of minutes, depending on exposure. By today's standards that's an eternity and it wasn't easy to hold a smile that long. Also, my photography professor said that having your photo taken back then was such an incredible experience... a once in a lifetime chance for many... that it was taken very seriously. Can you imagine standing still for a family portrait and getting ONE shot at it, and then seeing that you had a goofy smile?!? But, I believe by the late 1800s (and certainly by the time the photos above were taken) the technology no longer required such seriousness and the opportunity for portraits was more wide spread. Not that many of these individuals were having a smile-worthy day at the police station! :)
1 year ago
likeOMFGitsJONNY says:
I love vintage photos! These are just beautiful, especially with the handwritten type over them.
1 year ago
elsahats says:
this is a great post!thank you for sharing
1 year ago
Bienfait says:
I've always delighted in perusing over vintage photos. Its that combination of admiring the fashion of the day, although I think 'F. Murray' may have been a little 'avant garde' for his time, and the air of mystery behind every face.
1 year ago
LOVEDANDLOSTshop says:
Great article and interesting perspective. I always wonder what it would be like to step inside the picture when looking at old photos.. I wonder what was happening in the background when the image was captured. Fascinating!
1 year ago
GallusTreeCreations says:
just amazing photos, I'd love to know the story behind each one.
1 year ago
fr34k3r says:
Wow, that last one is ridiculously beautiful. So high quality!
1 year ago
maaretsinkko says:
Some of these photos make me sad - sobering. it's the tide of human wash. it was then and is today. we might comment on their hair and appearance, what we are really seeing is people who have fallen through the cracks.
1 year ago
BlueTerracotta says:
These are beautiful, expressive...I love the photo of the man who refused to open his eyes!
1 year ago
NYILLUSTRATION says:
I like the one of the man who refused to open his eyes
1 year ago
underthepyramids says:
BEST POST EVER ! Absolutely amazing gathering of photographs. Huge inspirations source. For style, photography, etc ... Thank you so much for that ! Δ Δ Δ -mathyld-
1 year ago
underthepyramids says:
+ the attitude of the guy in the banner totally reminds me of Robert Mitchum's in "The Night of the Hunter" ... Aceness !
1 year ago
Happiknits says:
Beautiful! I have a small collection of vintage photos, they are *so* lovely and each tells a story. I love the woman with the veil who is so ashamed she can't even look at the camera.
1 year ago
namasteyworld says:
This is a great post... thank you for sharing...
1 year ago
tamallama says:
So intriguing, like a trip back in time! I always feel a little sad when I come across photos at estate sales so I usually pass them by...but now I think I will be having a closer look!
1 year ago
southernladysvintage says:
Wonderful article and photos! Enjoyed this feature very much!
1 year ago
akcArt says:
LOVE the vintage photos! How different life was in those days! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
hayleen50 says:
Hahahhah this so weird there is a guy with Big hair. then u go to "the Sartorialist" and there is a model with the same hairdo
1 year ago
oldohiofarmfinds says:
you know, my father used to deliver messages for the mob when he was little. my husband's grandfather used to be a rum runner ~ true stories
1 year ago
galstudio says:
Ver thought provoking, intriguing portraiture!
1 year ago
jennyleefowler says:
Lots more here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leastwanted/.
1 year ago
tippleandsnack says:
AMAZING!
1 year ago
arlenena says:
LOVE LOVE LOVE the article!
1 year ago
shellseye says:
So very interesting! Thank you for this glimpse into the past!
1 year ago
pittsfordalpaca says:
For someone wanting to read more... did a google search, and a second photo came up for the group of four men.. http://scan.net.au/scan/journal/display.php?journal_id=67
1 year ago
camstudiostore says:
Love this, thanks!
1 year ago
Mattie714 says:
I love these photos! Not to mention the clothes and the hair...
1 year ago
NeedlefulThings says:
Disheveled? For goodness sakes, they are in suits, lace, pearls, and cloches. It makes me wonder what the author considers dressed down. I'm curious as to Fay's story, she looks tricky!
1 year ago
lavenderlemon says:
Oh my god! Love all these photos. I love the photograph that i presume are drag queens. Anyways i actually added this link to my favourites on my computer. thanks so much!!
1 year ago
sassefrass says:
love these photos.lol. This is Great! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
pastique says:
These are Fantastic photos!!
1 year ago
truetexasscents says:
Great idea for a blog...... I so love old photos. Can't get enough of them.
1 year ago
Spiderbite says:
These are strangely casual mugshots.
1 year ago
ecozuzu says:
beautiful vintage photographs!
1 year ago
shop1848 says:
Fabulous photos! Classic!!
1 year ago
Avarae17 says:
Such stylish crims! (LOL!)
1 year ago
livelydawn says:
Keep in mind these photographs were also an instrument of social control and often exploitation (I've seen the original exhibition 'City of Shadows' where many of them were shown and this fuller history discussed)-- I don't really think they can be considered 'precursors' of the Sartorialist, nor do I feel comfortable simply viewing them as old timey fashion shots.
1 year ago
CaptainCat says:
whhhhatt?! these are so so awesome. wow.
1 year ago
froschkind says:
fell in love with these immediately
1 year ago
jungledread says:
Loving us quirky Sydney-siders ;)
1 year ago
lynnetteaprilarts says:
I love the photos!! Everyone seems so well kept. Look at the darling shoes and clothes they are wearing!! One lady has a flower pin, nothing is new in fashion!! Years ago I was bidding on a set of San Francisco pandering women photos. All the women were beat up and looked edgy!! Thank you for sharing these photos with everyone!!
1 year ago
redheart13 says:
I'm truly grateful to see such wonderful images were kept and shared with us. Their expressions and ensembles are quite lovely at that.
1 year ago
riskybeads says:
I love the shoes!! OMG!
1 year ago
BlueberryCream says:
Love candid photos!
1 year ago
sadieolive says:
These are amazing images. Thanks for sharing. I had fun looking through them too.
1 year ago
moltenmira says:
I want all of the shoes! Amazing images, thanks.
1 year ago
blackgermanshepherd says:
I love these photographs!!
1 year ago
opendoorstudio says:
faye looks like such a moderne woman! great post!
1 year ago
bricolagelife says:
great find - fantastic portraits!
1 year ago
TheIDconnection says:
I love old black & white pics. Great story
1 year ago
plumcozycottage says:
I love the old photos and can't help but wonder what their lives were like. Great collection of photos!
1 year ago
GardenAngels says:
Fascinating, having an Aussie mum, I thought oh my' I wonder if there are any relations in these photos' I love to look at old photos, and to come across an ancester well that would be really interesting. Alas no one whose name I recognized. Thanks for the fun post.
1 year ago
DIVINEsweetness says:
JudiPaintedIt, i so agree with you... smiling doesn't seem to be in fashion back then lol!
1 year ago
BellaDaze says:
Very interesting! I started to read this yesterday and then was interrupted. Glad I found time to get back to this great article.
1 year ago
blackrockvintage says:
Thanks so much for allowing us a peek into the past. The man who refused to open his eyes is my favorite!
1 year ago
hscheiwe says:
What stunning impressions. Thank you for capturing this piece of Australian history.
1 year ago
dahlilafound says:
these photos are amazing! They feel so REAL compared to the pressed & perfect shots we usually see of this era. Wonderful find! d. xo
1 year ago
habituate says:
So fascinating! Funny how reality is so often different from your imagination.
1 year ago
elmstreetmarket says:
Faces in vintage photos usually look very different to me than today's faces, but Vera Chrichton looks like someone you would run into at the local Whole Foods. Same face, but in equestrian boots and skinny jeans.
1 year ago
mimsytoo says:
Thank you for sharing! Wish we knew the story behind each photo.
1 year ago
lisapowell25 says:
After a quick dig around, I think I've found that Vera Crichton was arrested for conspiracy to unlawfully procure a miscarriage. She appeared in court a few months after the date on her photo. You can look on National Library of Australia's website and search the old newspapers. Hope it doesn't ruin it knowing the stories!
1 year ago
lisapowell25 says:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16168375?searchTerm=vera%20crichton&searchLimits=l-title=The+Sydney+Morning+Herald...|titleid%3A35|||l-decade=192 - try this link, it says Vera was acquitted.
1 year ago
sunsetsandtea says:
looking at these, you feel like you're intruding and looking into a person's heart, really personal. love love love this article and these photos.
1 year ago
tlc28 says:
Fascinating. Want to know more about their crimes. Definitely wondered about those two people..one smiling..knew that was a guy, well two guys.
1 year ago
MLKeyser says:
Yes super facinating. Do you have any more to add tothe story? How did you get these?I've read true crime now for years, im thinking of making a collage out of these pics and diplaying it in my library.
1 year ago
mollybob says:
I live in Sydney and have been fortunate enough to go see some of these photos at the museum in person. It's a very interesting part of our history. Like many other readers, I found it fascinating to see another side of life in the 20's. Thanks for sharing with the broader etsy community :)
1 year ago
mollybob says:
oh yes, in response to the above comments. I forgot to mention... there are at least two books that have been created in the past few years that publish these photos and give stories of their crimes. One of them is called City of Shadows - here's the link: http://www.abbeys.com.au/book/city-of-shadows-sydney-police-photographs-1912-1948.do
1 year ago
luciaa says:
City of Shadows - I love that book! its one of my most treasured possessions. Amazing photography, its a great resource for when I feel like doing some quick portrait sketching :)
1 year ago
pinkbijou says:
Interesting article
1 year ago
ModernMode says:
This was fascinating! Thank you! They are eerily similar to today's street fashion shots, but somehow more intimate and honest, perhaps because they're being taken at such vulnerable moments. They're obviously not worrying about how the photo's going to turn out!
1 year ago
teconlene says:
Really interesting and an amazing collection of photos!
1 year ago
bowlabeau says:
These photos are so amazing and inspirational. They look so new and well preserved.
1 year ago
elisabettacavagnino says:
modern!
1 year ago
LastCaress says:
I would wear over half the clothes those women are wearing.
1 year ago
shannondzikas says:
I'll be the 188th person to tell you you've done a great job with this blog. Beautiful, sent some shivers down my spine and got me making up stories about these peoples lives.
1 year ago
backhomeagain says:
I love the guy that refused to open his eyes. The two women, one looking right in to the camera smiling the other looking down is priceless!
1 year ago
SimandCharlieDesigns says:
Hauntingly beautiful!
1 year ago
prettystardesigns says:
so interesting, beautiful photos!
1 year ago
carlossantiago says:
very nice! i love these photos.
1 year ago
DustyCatVintage says:
Wow, A speechless moment, such amazing images!
1 year ago
MoonCircus says:
Love the fact that they still weren't as disheveled as those taken from the modern police photos... Early to mid 20th century clothing are very inspiring..& not to mention these photographs are terrific.. thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
lensedaft says:
love these
1 year ago
sambetty says:
very cool.
1 year ago
enjoyorigano says:
COOL !!! I Love VINATAGE SO MUCH
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
so interesting. definitely want to know what makes each of them criminals!
1 year ago
poorjimsvintage says:
Beautiful. They look like independant thinkers.
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Great photos, a snapshot of vintage fashion when it was new!
1 year ago
Klaudia133 says:
Such a natural photo...I particularly admire photo's from the period when Photoshop haven't existed yet. Than it was real art! Now it's just numerous fake gorgeous and glamorous ladies that in real life are not that pretty at all...surrealistic landscapes with so vivid colors that simply do not exist...They even inspired me to write a short essay
1 year ago
faintygirl says:
If you go to the link below, you'll find many of these images (along with others), and if you click on the individual photos there are details about why they were arrested. http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia?action=PASearch&mode=subject&complete1=true&attribute1=subject&term1=mug+shots
1 year ago
atlantajaeger says:
A picture speaks a thousand words......
1 year ago
atlantajaeger says:
How funny is this I've just read that one women prisoner fluttered her eye lashes so much to ruin the long exposure time so her eyes are just a blur.
1 year ago
MyGrandpasPen says:
Love this article and thanks for the extra link!
1 year ago
coolstuffartgallery says:
Love the Pix!
1 year ago
MorganNichole says:
I love old photos, great article.
1 year ago
artworksbycarol says:
I have a 94 yr old neighbor & I often imagine her as a young woman in a page of history.She's great!
1 year ago
HydrationHabitatSkin says:
some of the faces on these photos are so unique, very serious looking as most old pics
1 year ago
AnnTig says:
Interesting!
1 year ago
mysticalkaleidoscope says:
Great article. Love the olde vintage black and white photos. Wonder what they all did to get their pics taken. Love the clothes and hair.
1 year ago
namasteyworld says:
Great article.... So creative....
1 year ago
WeThreeTrees says:
One of the guys in the picture of the cross dressers looks like someone I know, seriously COMPLETELY like him! It is crazy. I too think about movies and people looking perfect. Its interesting to see these old photographs. Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
redemptionart says:
lots of "naughty" girls, probably got in trouble, in those days, for doing something I do every day!!! i have a trunk load of early 20th century Hawaii photos from my pop who passed last year. amazing, WW2, tourists, Pearl Harbor...hula girls
1 year ago
sweetaccessories says:
Histroy captured in photos...same place, but different time...makes me think throo time =)
1 year ago
Guitarpickman says:
Them was the good old days
1 year ago
Guitarpickman says:
Them was the good old days
1 year ago
sewnewthings says:
I'm from Sydney, and have seen this exhibition - it's awesomely good! Has a weird, "otherworldliness".
1 year ago
BlauPunk says:
<3 <3 <3
1 year ago
InspirationsbyMelani says:
Very interesting!
1 year ago
girliepains says:
I'm in awe! they are so artistic
1 year ago
designlab443 says:
Love these photos!
1 year ago
melida says:
i wish i knew what theyd been arrested for
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
Gripping. Extremely well dressed and fashionable group and of criminals. My mind is swirling with their possible crimes.
1 year ago
percivalroad says:
love this!! such interesting faces...
1 year ago
Nazara says:
What an amazing collection of photographs. Wish I could find just one of those vintage hats
1 year ago
Nazara says:
What an amazing collection of photographs. Wish I could find just one of those vintage hats
1 year ago
InnerWild says:
what beautiful photographs, and wonderful story, thank you
1 year ago
ajjewelrydesigns says:
Really great collection. Some of them looked like they were having a wonderful time, but some seem so shamed!
1 year ago
dibabeads says:
I thoroughly enjoyed this snapshot of time in history!! It really got me thinking, "what did they do" ? lol
1 year ago
TheAngryWeather says:
Thia is awesome
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
Enjoyed. When I see old photos at flea markets it makes me sad that there is someone who has lost their family heirlooms.
1 year ago
dreamydoodads says:
this is extremely interesting...love to see vintage photographs...wondering what these people did to get arrested, especially the women in this place and time...looking in their faces, wondering what is on their minds at the time...DQ :)
1 year ago
littlehooter says:
Wow! These are just fabulous! I am from sydney but have never been to the Police Museum, might be worth a visit now.
1 year ago
Sunshineshelle says:
An immediate link to the past, the sorrow & bravado on the subjects is timeless & instant with communicative strength.
1 year ago
Rosyjanet says:
Maybe they didn't smile in old pictures because they had to pose for so long. Or maybe it was considered rude to look too happy. Just guessing.
1 year ago
Seaberries says:
I work for the organisation that manages the Justice & Police Museum in Sydney which owns this collection of glass plate negatives and we have published two books featuring these amazing images which you can buy online. they are called City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912 - 1948 and Crooks Like Us. Available from: http://shop.hht.net.au/
1 year ago
mybrokenart says:
These photos are incredible. Love them, thanks so much for sharing.
1 year ago
brambleandbear says:
These are so indescribably incredible. I am from Australia so they also have a special connection with me. This collection is the best thing I have found all year. Such amazing photography way ahead of it's time, and in such a context as this with real peoples real stories. I feel it made my year!
1 year ago
ArtByMadden says:
Maybe someone already said this... JudithPaintedIt and Rosy Janet They are not smiling because they have been arrested and are facing an unknown future. Unlike us glorious Etsy people!
1 year ago
TheKeyInTheBottle says:
This is the perfect kind of photos for inspiration ! It's really powerful !
1 year ago
lynnesub says:
i had a great time looking at them , thank you! i loved the one that looks like the barborshop quartette! lol thanks i enjoyed this!
1 year ago
figandtwig says:
Love old photographs...these ones are amazing...a story behind each and every one!
1 year ago
JenniferLynnProducts says:
These are great! I love vintage photos!
1 year ago
calendulabunny says:
Beautiful! I love everything about old photographs. There is a feeling that is conveyed through the film that lives on long after the individual is gone. Great fashion as well.
1 year ago
CarolineTaleski says:
I really love this. The best article I've read in a long time.
1 year ago
CarolineTaleski says:
I really love this. The best article I've read in a long time.
1 year ago
micnat says:
I enjoy old photographs so much! I can spend hours looking at them, trying to 'see' what the person can be thinking, how they live their lives, it's amazing!
340 days ago
Archivia says:
These are pretty wild. If you like the gritty realism of these, you will probably like Weegee's Daily Life and Crime Scene photos from the 1930s through the 1960s http://www.amber-online.com/exhibitions/weegee-collection
340 days ago
SpackleTheGap says:
Im always so captivated by the styling of the women in vintage photos. The shoes are always so stunning to me.
339 days ago