From Digital Camera World · · 1m 40s
Texas Man Finds Bonnie and Clyde Photo Album
Texas man claims to have found unseen photos of Bonnie and Clyde, but authenticity questions raise concerns about photographic preservation.
In brief
Texas man claims to have found unseen photos of Bonnie and Clyde, but authenticity questions raise concerns about photographic preservation. A Texas man found a photo album that may hold unseen pictures of Bonnie and Clyde, but questions over authenticity highlight the importance of safeguarding photography for future…
Texas Man Finds Photo Album
Timothy Phelps, from Corpus Christi, unearthed a battered photo album in his friend's garage that may hold unseen pictures of Bonnie and Clyde.
15 Years of Research
Phelps spent the last 15 years trying to convince others that the album contains unseen photos of American history's most notorious outlaw couple.
Forensic Artist Confirms
Forensic artist Lois Gibson, with a Guinness World Record for identifications, confirmed the prints match Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow through overlay techniques.
Authenticity Concerns
Experts caution that camera distance and angle change facial proportions, making the photos' authenticity difficult to verify without proper documentation.
Historical Context
Bonnie and Clyde were amateur photographers who fled a 1933 shootout in Joplin, Missouri, leaving behind a camera and film rolls.
Auction History
Clyde's sister Nell's archive of 600 photos, some featuring the couple, sold at auction for $23,750 (approximately £17,900 / AU$34,159) last September.
Provenance Questions
Phelps claims the album was found in a California desert shack, but the exact location remains unclear, raising concerns about the photos' chain of ownership.
Preservation Lesson
When you caption your photos, add a name, date, and place to ensure future historians can understand and appreciate them.
What to remember
A Texas man found a photo album that may hold unseen pictures of Bonnie and Clyde, but questions over authenticity highlight the importance of safeguarding photography for future generations.
