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267
●
(RUTH SNYDER)
Group of 4 photographs of convicted murderer Ruth Snyder, comprising the infamous
electrocution scene by Daily News photographer Tom Howard and 3 at her trial.
Silver prints, the images measuring 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
[4,500/5,500]
From the Collection of John Binder.
Although photographs of the first Sing Sing Execution were strictly forbidden, the 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.”