RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

This is kind of a weird item Jon, that I’ve had a long time. My grandfather was a Captain with the Jersey City Police Department from the 1930s to the 1950s. He was involved in a number of big crime cases in New Jersey. Many years ago, when he passed and we were cleaning out his home, I found this wanted poster. Does it have any value in today’s collectible market? If so, how much might it be worth? I enjoy reading your article each week and thank you for your time. 

Fred

 You have an interesting piece of American 20th century history. As you are aware, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were notorious criminals during the Great Depression. In addition to bank robberies and car thefts, it is believed they had murdered nine law enforcement officers and several civilians during their crime spree. Bonnie and Clyde were on the run for roughly two years, from February 1932 to May 1934. During this time, they were involved in numerous robberies and burglaries, primarily targeting small town businesses and banks across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Missouri. Their crime spree gained national attention after photos of the couple were discovered at a crime scene in 1933. On May 23,1934 the pair were ambushed in Louisiana by Sheriffs and Texas Rangers. They were both killed. An arsenal of weapons was found in their car. Please notice your wanted poster is headed “Division of Investigation”. The FBI was established in 1908, as the Division of Investigation. It wasn’t until 1935 that it was renamed The Federal Bureau of Investigation. Your poster is dated May 21, 1934, just before the name change. Something else, I see there is reddish – brown staining throughout the poster. This is commonly known as foxing. It is basically an age-related process of deterioration that causes spots and browning on old paper documents and books. This can only be caused by time, and it cannot be faked. I am convinced this wanted poster is authentic, not a current reproduction, as many I’ve encountered are. The current value of this wanted poster, in its present condition, is $400 USD. This poster would also appeal to collectors of police memorabilia. Wanted posters of infamous criminals are highly sought out and collected. Some collectible examples are Angela Davis, H. Rap Brown, James Earl Ray & John Dillinger.