Historic Funeral Gathering for Notorious Gambler, 1912

This photograph captures a significant moment in early 20th-century New York City—the funeral of Herman Rosenthal in July 1912. Rosenthal was known as a prominent gambler, and his murder just days before his funeral garnered widespread attention. This image depicts a large crowd gathered to pay their respects, illustrating the public interest in Rosenthals life and untimely death. The sheer number of people present highlights the impact he had on the citys nightlife and social scene.

The event further fueled public fascination and speculation around issues of crime and corruption during this era. New York City in the early 1900s was a hub of gambling activity, and figures like Rosenthal often found themselves entwined in a web of organized crime. This photograph serves as a record of that turbulent period in American history, capturing not only the funeral but also the social landscape of the time. Through this visual document, we can glimpse the realities and attitudes towards gambling and crime that shaped urban life in New York.