(CRIME--ROGUE'S GALLERY) Professional Criminals of America. With 36 heliotype plates containing 204 mugshot or headshot records, as well as an image of Byrnes observing a bank robber being prepared for his mugshot, this apparently by the groundbreaking journalist and social documentary photographer Jacob Riis. By Inspector Thomas Byrnes, Inspector of Police and Chief of Detectives, New York City. Chapters include "Methods of Professional Criminals in America," "Why Thieves are Photographed," and "Descriptions and Records of Professional Criminals," as well as sections that detail specific crimes, such as "Miscellaneous Robberies," "Mysterious Murders," and "Adventurers and Adventuresses." 4to, gilt-lettered 1/2 morocco, the backstrip partially detached and the front cover fully detached; internally the plates are clean and bright. New York, 1886
Ruthless and innovative, Thomas Byrnes was the most infamous policeman of his day and the father of the modern day detective department. His Rogue's Gallery, a series of portraits and descriptions of criminals that detectives were expected to memorize, played an important role in revolutionizing the role of photography in crimefighting. His classic text, offered here, includes biographies and photographs of 204 New York City burglars, pickpockets, confidence men, forgers, and sneak thieves. Criminals also include a section of 18 women, numerous Irish Americans and Jewish Americans, and disgraced former South Carolina governor Franklin J. Moses.
