My, what big hands you have

At first glance, this is an enchanting photo of a darling little girl from what appears to be the late 1800's. Her hair is perfectly curled. Her dress is flowing and fancy. Her hands are folded........ wait, HER hands? I really don't know what to make of it, and because it is so odd, already, I won't even try to figure out what's going on under her dress on the right. Either way, she's a beautiful little thing, and we can only hope that either this was just some very off photography and our eyes are playing tricks on us, or that whatever oddity she may have faced, she did so with success in her life!

Please note this is NOT MY photo and not offered here for download or use. This photo is for discussion only. The original photo for auction can be found here. 

Mugshots - See No Evil

Here are a few photos in the vintage mugshots from the 20's, an ongoing series, this time of the mostly male variety.

This bloke here refused to open his eyes for his mugshot. Someone needs a time out!

Mug shot of Thomas Bede, 22 November 1928, Central Police Station, Sydney. 

Thomas Bede was charged with 'suborn a witness' at Sydney Quarter Sessions on 11 December 1928, for which he was fined. No other details are known. 

And speaking of time-out, I wish I knew what this adorable child could have done, to merit such an early rap sheet. No other info known.

While some of these chaps are quite dapper, well, here's one who may be a bit TOO fashionable. I am sorry to say there are no notes or information about this photo that I could find.

Victorian Child, Mirror Mirror

This is a very interesting photo I found on Ebay, depicting what appears to be a young child looking at himself (yes, the description on the auction states it is a boy and not a girl), in the mirror, with the help of his "hidden mother". She appears in the reflection in the upper left corner of the mirror. Why she was needed there, I'm not sure, other than to perhaps guide the child as to his pose for the camera. Normally hidden mothers can be seen (so to speak!) in old photographs, acting as a human chair covered with a sheet or blanket, so as to keep the child still during the photographing process. Either way, this is a mysterious but fun one!

Please note this is NOT MY photo and not offered here for download or use. This photo is for discussion only. The original photo for auction can be found here. 

Detained Dames - Extravagant Emma

First in the "Detained Dames" series. Often times when we think back to the 20's and 30's, and crime, it usually brings to mind dapper men in suits, taking bribes and running with the gangsters of the day. We don't usually immediately think of women folk getting into scraps with the law. But they did, oh, they sure did, and these vintage mugshots from that era offer up fascination and intrigue, as to what laws these daring ladies broke, that resulted in them getting the book thrown at em!

Meet Emma Rolfe, seemingly quite distraught at her capture.

She is also known as May Mulholland, Sybil White, Jean Harris and Eileen Mulholland), 1 April 1920, Central Police Station Sydney.

A second mugshot is taken from the same day, just as seemingly sad. Here is what we know about the reasons for her arrest:

Special Photograph no. 126. Emma Rolfe better known as May Mulholland (also as Sybil White, Jean Harris and Eileen Mulholland) had numerous convictions in the period 1919-1920 for theft of jewellery and clothing (all quality items: silk blouses, kimonos and scarves, antique bric a brac etc) from various houses around Kensington and Randwick, and from city shops. She appears as a mature woman in the NSW Criminal Register of 5 December 1934. By that time she is well known for shoplifting valuable furs and silks from city department stores. 'When subjected to interrogation by Police who are not acquainted with her character', the entry notes, 'she strongly protests her innocence, and endeavours to repress her interviewers by stating she will seek the advice of her solicitor.' 

Proper Ladies

I have no idea what the backstory is behind this photo, other than this is clearly the Victorian era, probably pre 1900. The expressions on the ladies' faces spark much curiosity as to what is on their minds as they patiently waited to snap this prim and proper photograph. Sisters? Mother and daughter? Aunt and niece? Friends? We will never know, but one thing is for sure, they were certainly fashionable!