52 198
74
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(CRIME—RUTH SNYDER)
Group of 4 photographs of Ruth Snyder,
comprising 3 of her at her trial and the fourth
the infamous electrocution scene. Silver
prints, 8x6 to 10
1
/
2
x6
1
/
2
inches (20.3x15.2 to
26.7x16.5 cm.), each with a hand stamp or
notations and 2 with caption slugs attached
to prints verso. 1928
[5,000/7,500]
From the Collection of John Binder.
Although photographs of the first Sing Sing
Execution were strictly forbidden, Daily News
photographer Tom Howard, who is credited with
taking the photograph of Snyder in the electric
chair, strapped a tiny detective camera to his ankle.
The caption reads: “This is perhaps the most
remarkable exclusive picture in the history of
criminology. It shows the actual scene in the Sing Sing
Death House as the lethal current surged through
Ruth Snyder’s body at 11:05 PM on the night of
Jan. 12th. Her helmeted head is stiffened in death.
Her face masked and an electrode strapped to her bare
right leg.The autopsy table on which her body was
removed is beside her.”
73
●
(CRIME—NEW ENGLAND)
A compelling group of 11 photographs
documenting a murder trial purportedly in
New Bedford, Massachusetts. With images
showing the crowded court room (one with a
participant’s face cut out of the image), the jury,
2 pictures depicting a demonstration of the
body and murder, and examination of the
witnesses and involved parties, including a
woman (the widow?) in tears; some of the
prints with press cropping marks. Silver prints,
sizes ranging from 5x4 to 6
1
/
2
x8
1
/
2
inches
(12.7x10.2 to 16.5x21.6 cm.), and the reverse,
5 with press cropping marks on recto, and one
with a partial caption, in pencil, on verso.
Circa 1899
[800/1,200]
73
74