In the days before instant digital photography, photographers had to be very careful when taking a shot so as to make the best of every frame—apparently, this approach applies to criminal mugshots as well.
Design & lifestyle blog Twisted Sifter unearthed an incredible collection of vintage mugshots from the 1920s that are currently housed by the Historic Houses Trust in Australia.
Unlike the mugshots of today—which are almost always unflattering headshots—these pictures are surprisingly of excellent quality, and in many cases, beautifully composed and rather artistic.
Many of the men in these photographs look little like the convicted criminals that they are—in fact, they strongly resemble the stylish men that are often featured on street-style blog The Sartorialist.
Depicting subjects in dapper accessories and handsome three-piece suits, these photographs are an unlikely resource for anyone who has an interest in fashion history.
[via Twisted Sifter]