A ROGUES’ gallery of bedraggled criminals is pictured in police mugshots from the 1940s which are up for sale at an auction house.
Little is known about the images – other than the collection of sorry faces were taken by the cops in war-era America.
The 24 pairs of incredibly unusual mugshots, made in gelatin silver prints, are valued between £100 to £150.
Each shows a profile and full face portrait with a reference number and date.
Chris Albury, a Director at Dominic Winter Auctioneers said: “I’ve seen similar lots to this occasionally at auctions, where they have been able to name the police department or who they were.
“But in this case there’s nothing on the back or front of these to give any context.”
They will be up for auction on December 16 at Dominic Winter Auction house in Cirencester in the UK.
But Mr Albury sees the rare prints returning slightly more than the valuation.
He added: “They’re very intriguing to look at and one cant help but start wandering what had happened.
“Whether they were victims, perpetrators or both in some nasty scenes back in the 1940s – we don’t know.
“I’m absolutely positive that there will be people hovering on these mouses online looking out for these.”
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He added: “The whole lot is valued between £100-150, but it’s hard to say what they might go for.
“We’ve got them modestly estimated but I’d be surprised If they didn’t make on average £10 a piece, which takes the total over £200.”