JF Ptak Science Books     Post 1538     [Original source photos from Retronaut.]

Undoubtedly the Industrial Revolution passed many by in Newcastle upon Tyne, a metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England.  Its an ancient place, and at one time enjoyed a high Victorian economic mission for production and shipping.  And just as in any time, many were left behind by progress.  These are photographs–mug shots–of children arrested and convicted of petty crimes, sent packing to Newcastle Prison, in 1871.   It seems to me that their hands could do little mischief, their crimes coming I suspect from hunger or need.  

The hands of Mary Catherine Docherty, serving seven days hard labor for the theft of  iron.  Age:  14.

These hands belonged to Ann Burns, serving 1 month,  convicted of stealing a waistcoat. Age:  18.

The hands of Jane Farrell, serving ten days hard labor for the theft of two boots.  Age:  12.

The hands of Catherine Kelly, sentenced to three months in prison for the theft of bed linens.  Age:  17.

 
The hands of Ellen Woodman, sentenced to seven days of hard labor for stealing iron.  Age:  11

I suspect that these girls were told to hold their hands together to steady their body for the long exposure by the camera–or perhaps they were just told to hold onto anything, like the chair, or their clothing, or whatever.  These girls chose to hold their own hands, each one of them a Mona Lisa.  The emotions of these young people seem staggering to me, their bodies communicating the realization of the very hard and impossible end to minor crimes committed as a function of desperation.