Bringing the bootleggers back to life: Colorized photographs from the Prohibition Era show the lengths Americans went to keep their booze 

  • From 1920 to 1933, the US government issued a nationwide constitutional ban on alcohol
  • The ban increased the illegal production and sale of liquor and the proliferation of speakeasies
  • In 1933, Congress repealed the 18th Amendment and brought the Prohibition Era to a close 
  • A collection of photographs from the time were colorized by British expert Tom Marshall
  • Marshall's images show 'Prohibition agents' and people taking part in illicit alcohol consumption
Scenes from the Prohibition Era have been dramatically brought back to life in a series of newly colorized photographs. 
From 1920 to 1933, the US government issued a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages.
The ban increased the illegal production and sale of liquor, known as bootlegging, and the proliferation of speakeasies, or illegal drinking locations.
In 1933, Congress repealed the 18th Amendment and brought the Prohibition Era to a close.
The originally black-and-white photographs, shared by Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, DC, were colorized by British colorization expert Tom Marshall.

From 1920 to 1933, the US government issued a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Now, British colorization expert Tom Marshall, has taken originally black-and-white photos from the era and brought them back to life in full color. Pictured above, New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach, right, watching agents pour liquor into sewer following a raid during the height of prohibition
From 1920 to 1933, the US government issued a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Now, British colorization expert Tom Marshall, has taken originally black-and-white photos from the era and brought them back to life in full color. Pictured above, New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach, right, watching agents pour liquor into sewer following a raid during the height of prohibition
The alcohol, the ban increased the illegal production and sale of liquor, known as bootlegging, and the proliferation of speakeasies, or illegal drinking locations. Pictured above, woman seated at a soda fountain table pouring alcohol into a cup from a cane, with a large Coca-Cola advertisement on the wall in 1922
The alcohol, the ban increased the illegal production and sale of liquor, known as bootlegging, and the proliferation of speakeasies, or illegal drinking locations. Pictured above, woman seated at a soda fountain table pouring alcohol into a cup from a cane, with a large Coca-Cola advertisement on the wall in 1922
Marshall's images show 'Prohibition agents' regulating alcohol consumption and sale throughout the United States in the 1920s. Pictured above, a man carries a case of 'Four Roses' whiskey on his shoulder, possibly confiscated by the US Internal Revenue Bureau
Marshall's images show 'Prohibition agents' regulating alcohol consumption and sale throughout the United States in the 1920s. Pictured above, a man carries a case of 'Four Roses' whiskey on his shoulder, possibly confiscated by the US Internal Revenue Bureau
'I was asked to colorize these images of the Prohibition, perfectly capturing both the fashion and atmosphere of this fascinating chapter in American history,' Marshall said.
'In January 1919 the American Congress passed the Eighteenth Amendment, outlawing alcohol and ushering in the infamous Prohibition era.' 
 The government tired to enforce prohibition for years, but largely failed. 
'Those who opposed the law found ever-creative ways to enjoy a drink,' Marshall said. 'Bootlegging was rampant, as were stores and clubs who secretly served liquor.
'These became known as "speakeasies" since customers had to keep their voices down to avoid attracting police attention.' 


00
/
Duration Time
0:52
Fullscreen
Need Text
In 1933, Congress repealed the 18th Amendment and brought the Prohibition Era to a close following a large campaign to repeal the alcohol ban. Pictured above, women from the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform show off posters calling for Prohibition's reform
In 1933, Congress repealed the 18th Amendment and brought the Prohibition Era to a close following a large campaign to repeal the alcohol ban. Pictured above, women from the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform show off posters calling for Prohibition's reform
Throughout the ban, Americans found sneaky ways to drink and sell alcohol, and many attended parties at speakeasies, or secret bars that served liquor. Pictured above, a woman pulls a pint of alcohol out of her boot
A woman shows off a poster reading, 'Abolish Prohibition!'
Throughout the ban, Americans found sneaky ways to drink and sell alcohol, and many attended parties at speakeasies, or secret bars that served liquor. Pictured above, a woman pulls a pint of alcohol out of her boot, while another woman shows off a poster reading, 'Abolish Prohibition!'
Policeman and Prohibition agents often pulled over suspisious looking vehicles they believed to be carriying illegal cases of alchol. Pictured above, one policeman stands alongside a wrecked car and cases of moonshine, that were likely confiscated
Policeman and Prohibition agents often pulled over suspisious looking vehicles they believed to be carriying illegal cases of alchol. Pictured above, one policeman stands alongside a wrecked car and cases of moonshine, that were likely confiscated
Marshall's images show 'Prohibition agents' and their official badge, which was used to pull over suspicious automobiles during the alcohol ban. Other photos show people involved in the illicit transportation and consumption of alcohol. 
The ban ended in 1933 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed a new amendment which approved the manufacture and sale of beer and light wines.
Later that year the Prohibition was completely abolished, and the production and consumption of all alcohol legal again.
'One of the many factors that influenced this decision was the Great Depression which hit in 1930,' Marshall said. 'The American government realized that they could make millions of dollars by taxing alcohol.'
Agents from the US Official Bureau of Prohibition adopted their own insignia plate during the Prohibition Era and put it on vehicles used to stop other drivers they suspected of carrying alcohol
Agents from the US Official Bureau of Prohibition adopted their own insignia plate during the Prohibition Era and put it on vehicles used to stop other drivers they suspected of carrying alcohol
If a person was caught selling or transporting alchol, he or she could face a series of charges from police. Bootlegging encouraged crime throughout Prohibition, and many believe that it led to increased organized crime and gang violence throughout the United States. Pictured above, after a thrilling chase through the busiest streets of Washington, DC, a couple of bootleggers and their car come to grief at the hands of the police
If a person was caught selling or transporting alchol, he or she could face a series of charges from police. Bootlegging encouraged crime throughout Prohibition, and many believe that it led to increased organized crime and gang violence throughout the United States. Pictured above, after a thrilling chase through the busiest streets of Washington, DC, a couple of bootleggers and their car come to grief at the hands of the police