Early Mugshot: Sarah Ann Cooper, Door Knob Thief

As we discussed yesterday, the West Midlands Police just released a collection of early mugshots from their archives this month, including what is believed to be the oldest mugshot in British history. We previously discussed Isaac Ellery, who was convicted in March 1853 of stealing “gig’ cushions. Today’s Victorian convict is Sarah Ann Cooper, who was charged with stealing bells and door knobs in September 1861.

Her pictures was taken at the Moor Street public office in Birmingham which was the first police organization in Britain to take mug shots.