Archive of 59 original photographs of automobile accidents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, circa 1930s-1940s

N.p. N.p., 1930s-1940s. Archive of 59 photographs of automobile accident scenes or damage to vehicles in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, circa late 1930s through late 1940s. All photographs with manuscript annotations to the rectos or versos, or stamps on the verso, indicating their use in legal proceedings, and occasionally with dates or locations. Also included is a brown paper envelope with the stamp of photographer R. Werner and the District Court of Dakota County, MN regarding a hearing on May 16, 1939.

Massachusetts became the first state to pass mandatory auto insurance laws in 1927, but it wouldn't be until 1956 that other states began to follow suit. However, the stamps indicate the photographs were used as evidence in civil cases, as several are stamped "plaintiff," rather than "prosecution." An interesting look at the early days of automotive liability actions, just before car ownership would skyrocket in America during the 1950s.

Photographs variously sized, between 4.5 x 2.75 and 10 x 8 inches. Larger photographs Good only, with vertical creasing from having been folded into thirds. Smaller photographs generally Very Good plus or better.


[Book #149241]