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.'
