Rogues’ Gallery: Hundred Year Old Rare Scrapbook of Criminals Up For Sale

A rare collection of pictures and handwritten notes from convicted persons, describing their physical appearances, criminal records and aliases, belonging to Inspector Robert Mather of the Manchester Police has been put for sale in London. The collection will be available for auction on 27 March.

The 57-page scrapbook contains details of 65 convicts and old-time crooks and will be auctioned by Bonhams. The details were reportedly collected between 1909 and 1912 and include some notorious names like “Safebreaker” Thomas Frieth, Michel Riley aka James Dolan and a “half-caste” criminal from Martinique Cuba called Jose Dias, aka Joseph Dejouru.

The book is expected to fetch around £1,000. Continue reading »