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Lot #2080
Joe Francis Signed Fingerprint Card and Original Vintage Mug Shot Photograph

Suspected informant of the Barrow clan

Estimate: $200+
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Description

Suspected informant of the Barrow clan

Two items related to the 1934 arrest and processing of suspected Barrow Gang affiliate Joe Francis: an original vintage glossy 4.75 x 3.25 mug shot photo of Francis with arrest card dated "2-2-34," featuring a handwritten physical description on the reverse; and an original Dallas Police Department fingerprint card, 8 x 8, vertically signed along the right side in pencil by Francis. Purple identification text reads: "Age 19 (1934) Ht. 6-0 S. Wt. 157. Hair D. Ch. Eyes Brn. Com. Med. Bld. Slender. Occ. Laborer. Res. Rt. 6, Dallas County Texas. Nat. La. I. Vac. III. Face pimpled." Lower portion lists cause for arrest: "2-1-34, Arr. by Dets. Jones-Archer; Inv. G. P-Reld. (Alleged companion of Clyde Barrow #6048)." In overall fine condition, with scattered creasing and surface impressions to photo; and a center horizontal crease to card. On November 22, 1933, Francis, the husband of Clyde Barrow's sister, Marie, drove several Barrow and Parker family members to an isolated stretch on Highway 15 in Sowers, Texas. The plan was to meet up with Bonnie and Clyde and celebrate the 51st birthday of the Barrow matriarch, Cumie. The joyous event quickly turned into a barrage of bullets as a posse led by Sheriff Smoot Schmid fired into the passing car of Bonnie and Clyde, both of whom escaped but not without receiving grievous leg injuries. An informant was suspected to have aided in the nearly successful trap, with many in the Barrow clan pointing fingers squarely at Francis.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Gangsters, Outlaw & Lawmen
  • Dates: #503 - Ended June 23, 2017