Wanted posters collection, 1914-1988

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Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of posters of individuals sought in connection with crimes that were collected by an anonymous police detective in Westchester County, New York. The posters are from the United States and Canada, with the bulk of the posters issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Notable individuals represented include Lester Gillis, alias Baby Face Nelson; Mary Evelyn "Billie" Frechette; Arthur "Doc" Barker; mobster Roger Touhy; and bank robber Frank Nash. Radicals from 1970s include Weather Underground member Cathlyn Platt Wilkerson, Symbionese Liberation Army member Kathleen Soliah; and Black Liberation Army members Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) and brother Mutulu Shakur.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet
2350 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01340

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of posters of individuals sought in connection with crimes that were collected by an anonymous police detective in Westchester County, New York. The posters are from the United States and Canada, with the bulk of the posters issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Notable individuals represented include Lester Gillis, alias Baby Face Nelson; Mary Evelyn "Billie" Frechette; Arthur "Doc" Barker; mobster Roger Touhy; and bank robber Frank Nash. Radicals from 1970s include Weather Underground member Cathlyn Platt Wilkerson, Symbionese Liberation Army member Kathleen Soliah; and Black Liberation Army members Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) and her brother, Mutulu Shakur.

The collection includes approximately 2,250 small-format wanted posters, most measuring 8 x 8 inches. Posters range in size and condition, many with manuscript markings or inked stamps, and some are trimmed and pasted onto printed mugshot cards.

Biographical / historical:

The Westchester County Department of Public Safety was created on July 1, 1979, through a merger of the Westchester County Sheriff's Department (1683-1979) and the Westchester County Parkway Police (1929-1979).

Source: "History of the County Police," Westchester County Public Safety website . Accessed 16 October 2024.

Acquisition information:
The Wanted posters collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book ; Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2013.
Processing information:

Processed by Anthony Meyer, April 2014

Encoded by Anthony Meyer, April 2014

Accession(s) described in this collection guide: 2013-0192

Materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by geographic location. Posters from the Federal Bureau of Investigation are filed under "District of Columbia."

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Wanted posters collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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