Without Sanctuary Lynching Photography in America

Lynching Photographs in America

Searching through America’s past for the last 45 years, collector James Allen uncovered an extraordinary visual legacy: lynching photographs and postcards taken as souvenirs at lynchings throughout America. With essays by Hilton Als, Leon Litwack, Congressman John Lewis, and James Allen, these photographs have been published as a book “Without Sanctuary” by Twin Palms Publishers. Features will be added to this site over time and it will evolve into an educational tool. Please be aware before entering the gallery that much of the material is very disturbing.

Experience the images as a movie with narrative comments by James Allen, or as a gallery of photos which will grow to over 100 photos in coming weeks. Participate in a forum about the images, and contact us if you know of other similar postcards and photographs.