I’m entirely captivated by Mark Michaelson’s collection of mug shots on Flickr. It’s titled “Least Wanted” and he notes with little fanfare that they’re “Nobody famous.”
Some of the photos contain little histories, like this set from the 40s and 50s that includes conviction details — “30 days W. H.” for “selling obscene literature.” Another image shows rapid aging over a three year period starting in 1943. It’s part of a small collection of recidivist women of the 1940s.
For most of Michaelson’s images, however, there’s little to describe who these people are or why their photos became a part of public record. Each is its own little mystery, and it’s hard not to want to look at all 422.
tags: 1940s, accused criminal, arrest, crime, criminology, history, law enforcement, mug shot, mug shots, photos, police, police photo, police photos, recidivism, recidivist
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