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(CRIME)
Warden’s Book, San Quentin, November through December 1917.
With approximately 80 photographs on 75 leaves (150 pages), with three pictures per page, primarily
men in hats, suspenders, and jackets, as well as one page with three sailors all in row, all convicted of
sodomy; each image with accompanying typed text including the convicted person’s name, their
crime, weight, complexion, distinguishing marks, occupation (including upholsterers, ranchers,
chauffers, a painter, laborers, and cooks), and ethnicity or origin, as well as other details regarding
their imprisonment (including their terms, some stamped as transfered to Folsom). Oblong folio,
12x17 inches (30.5x43.2 cm.),
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/
2
leather over ribbed cloth with a mounted paper title label “San
Quentin,” and twin-bolt binding, soiled; contents very good. 1917
[4,000/6,000]
Each print was sent from the Nevada
State Police, and later annotated with
details of the convict’s crime.Most of the
prisoners are well-dressed and approach
the photographer with a knowing, if
world-weary, expression.Their particular
crimes, professions, distinguishing marks,
and sentences illuminate aspects of a
different historical era. Entries indicate
whether someone attended Reform
School, had prior convictions, or were
transferred to another facility. Many of
the sentences are vague, such as “one
year to life.” Later notations, which
appear in red ink, indicate when a
convict was released or when he died.
Very few women are depicted.
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I...,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,...162