Wanted Posters

Two original vintage police notices from 1910. In part: "Pinkerton's National Detective Agency / $100.00 Reward / To Police Authorities, Loan Offices and Pawnbrokers / The following described articles were stolen from a private residence in Philadelphia, Pa., sometime between Friday, January 28th, 1910 and Monday, January 31st, 1910." On verso: "$50.00 Reward / For arrest and detention, in any jail in the United States, of Frank Walts or Watts, colored, and Billie Ramsey, white. Charge, rape. Both smooth shaven, usually work in cheap theaters..."

From the collection of Police Chief Michael Webb (1950-2009). Webb joined the Vinita Park, Missouri police force in 1974 and served until his death in 2009, during which time he purchased crime artifacts from relatives of criminals and law officers. Boasting more than 8,000 wanted posters, pieces of Webb’s collection have been featured in film and displayed at the National Crime and Punishment Museum in Washington.

Each wanted sheet has been affixed to each side of an extracted scrapbook page measuring approximately 9 x 12 inches. In good condition with the expected age and handling wear.