Cyanide and Sin: Visualizing Crime in 50s America

From Strand Bookstore

A broad history of the true crime magazine with an emphasis on its visual content, during the 1950s. Will Straw's essay traces the stylistic and conceptual evolution of the Crime magazine genre; he catalogues specific photographers and key designers who were regular contributors to the various magazines. Many of the images reproduced both within these magazines and on their covers were set-up reenactments of crimes, some fictive, others real. Straw writes in his essay, "Crime photography has served as a basis for transgressive violations of good taste, and for romantic glorifications of the doomed life." Illus., 196 in full color. 192p. Large tear to dust wrapper.