Unidentified photographer / artist
1887, March
The New York Police Department - Rogues Gallery

Magazine page
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Published in "The New York Police Department" by Richard Wheatley, in "Harpers Magazine", Volume 74, No,CCCCXLII, March, 1887, p.514.
 
In the Photograph and Record Department, in charge of Sergeant Thomas H. Adams, are preserved about 60,000 portraits of between 6000 and 7000 criminals. Many of them have been received from other cities, and are not included in the Rogues' Gallery, which contains the busts of the "best people" arrested in NewYork. When a professional is photographed, fifty copies of the negative are taken, and the "pedigree" of the person printed on the back of each copy. One copy is then despatched to each precinct, where the pedigree is entered on the record-book, and the picture placed in the Rogues' Gallery, as at Headquarters. The remainder are retained for the use of officers, and for exchange with the police authorities of other cities. Gallery and record-book are the patented inventions of Sergeant Adams. Portraits of deceased criminals are removed from their infamous companionship, as are those of the four per cent., more or less, of living ones who turn from their evil ways when young, and by years of well-doing entitle themselves to this favor, which is granted at their own request, seconded by that of reputable business men. Should they relapse, their portraits are returned to the case. The record of each of the 1700 originals in the Rogues' Gallery comprises full physical description and biography.
 
LL/35043