Drunken mugs
Auction news of the week: A collection of mugshots dating back to 1905, and originally issued as forms to warn Dundee pub landlords of drunken locals, has just sold for £1,500. Mate, you’re barred.
Each form contains info about the Dundonian in disgrace – name, address, occupation – as well as helpful descriptions about their physical features: ‘awanting a left eye’ and ‘wanting teeth’ for example. What examples.
Fish dealer John is he of the awanting eye, but more charmingly is also described as having a fresh complexion.
Poor Alice looks a lot older than her 54 years, give the poor lass a break.
The Dundonians included are mainly listed as being working class mill workers and Irish immigrants from the tenement buildings. Hey, it’s great that modern Britain has come a long way since those class discrimination days. Er…
They were all so short!
HA, I hadn’t noticed that before.