ORIGINAL SILVER PRINT PHOTOGRAPH TITLED "STRAPPING THE VICTIM INTO THE DEATH CHAIR." CONVICTED MURDERER, ARTHUR MAYHEW, MOMENTS BEFORE BEING PUT TO DEATH AT SING SING PRISON, NY [MARCH 12, 1897].

Metcalfe, James S.

Published by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., London, 1898

About this Item

(Crime and Punishment) ORIGINAL SILVER PRINT PHOTOGRAPH TITLED "STRAPPING THE VICTIM INTO THE DEATH CHAIR." CONVICTED MURDERER, ARTHUR MAYHEW, MOMENTS BEFORE BEING PUT TO DEATH AT SING SING PRISON, NY [MARCH 12, 1897]. Silver print photograph measuring 3-7/16" x 2-7/16" on plain mount with minor wear to the corners. Published in The Royal Magazine. London: C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., December, 1898. "Death By Execution," pp. 149-156, "[i]llustrated by the most remarkable series of photographs ever taken," gives a morbidly fascinating and in depth look at capital punishment, American style. The article's author, James S. Metcalfe, was given full access to Sing Sing Prison and the execution of convicted murderer, Arthur Mayhew. The article was illustrated with thirteen photographs taken in various locations within the prison complex, including five taken in the "death chamber." The penultimate photograph in the article is the photograph that a copy of is being offered here; the ultimate one (in more ways than one) is titled "The Actual Execution." It is reasonable to say that these images of Mayhew are the world's first execution photographs. The condition of the photograph is VERY GOOD. RARE. Included with this offering is a bound copy of The Royal Magazine, Vol. 1, November, 1898 to April, 1899 where the photograph was originally published.

Seller Inventory # 000976

Bibliographic Details

• Title: ORIGINAL SILVER PRINT PHOTOGRAPH TITLED "STRAPPING THE VICTIM INTO THE DEATH CHAIR." CONVICTED MURDERER, ARTHUR MAYHEW, MOMENTS BEFORE BEING PUT TO DEATH AT SING SING PRISON, NY [MARCH 12, 1897].
• Publisher: C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., London
• Publication Date: 1898
• Binding: No Binding
• Condition: Very Good