[StalkingYou]

More vintage pics I just came across.

[Wren]

I have to wonder if the pro photographer killed the subjects for props? Who actually had full, uninterrupted photoshoot access with real murder victims like this?

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Wren ↗

I have to wonder if the pro photographer killed the subjects for props? Who actually had full, uninterrupted photoshoot access with real murder victims like this?

These images were unearthed during renovations of the former NYPD headquarters in 2012.

They have now been collated into a new book, Murder in the City: New York, 1910–1920 by Wilfried Kaute.

Astonishingly the macabre pictures were supposed to be dumped into Hudson Bay but were forgotten about and the task was never completed.

This is because the images were used by early 20th century detectives during their homicide investigations, and the public were never supposed to see them.

They give modern-day viewers a fascinating insight into what urban crime really looked like a century ago.

In the early 20th century, police photographers used special tripods with cameras suspended above the victim to get overhead shots.

And most of the pictures have little information besides the captions provided by the detectives.

Between 1910 and 1920, New York’s population grew by nearly one million and city life was becoming increasingly crowded and dangerous.

The homicide rates in New York City were 10 times more than that of the murder rate in London during the same era.

Homicides in the city happened for many reasons, including domestic violence, random fights fuelled by alcohol and gang violence.

After a murder in the early afternoon near Gramercy Park, Manhattan, caused public scandal through the city, The Sullivan Act was implemented in August 1911.

The law required licenses for New Yorkers to possess firearms small enough to be concealed.

Possession of such firearms without a license was a misdemeanour, and carrying them was a felony.

[Wren]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

These images were unearthed during renovations of the former NYPD headquarters in 2012.

They have now been collated into a new book, Murder in the City: New York, 1910–1920 by Wilfried Kaute.

Astonishingly the macabre pictures were supposed to be dumped into Hudson Bay but were forgotten about and the task was never completed.

This is because the images were used by early 20th century detectives during their homicide investigations, and the public were never supposed to see them.

They give modern-day viewers a fascinating insight into what urban crime really looked like a century ago.

In the early 20th century, police photographers used special tripods with cameras suspended above the victim to get overhead shots.

Wow. So interesting. I was almost doubting their authenticity, based not only on access but the high viewpoints.

I find it impressive they made time to document these scenes in such creative/artistic ways.

[K53]

Love the photo journalism

[vagabond]

I love the perspective of the pics from above- I wish they would still do that. Fantastic post- thanks!

[souris]

Originally Posted by Wren ↗

I have to wonder if the pro photographer killed the subjects for props? Who actually had full, uninterrupted photoshoot access with real murder victims like this?

weegee