Rare Press Photos Matawn Shark Attack 1916 Creek Americana Jaws Inspiration

For your consideration, I have this rare historical gem, a genuine piece of Americana, and one of the inspirations for the movie JAWS. The images, which measure approx 17'x14, were produced by the American Press Association located at 225 West 39th Street in Manhattan. I bought this lot many years ago from a private photograph collector who assured me it was press release photos of the aftermath of the 1916 shark attacks which occurred in Matawan creek in New Jersey. This series of attacks are the most famous shark attacks ever recorded in American history.

In July of 1916, 5 people were attacked, and 4 died in the space of just 10 days. The last three attacks occurred in a small meandering brackish tidal creek in the town of Matawan, New Jersey.

The pictures depict the townspeople of Matawan, vainly trying to locate 13-year-old Lester Stillwell who had been pulled underwater by a shark in the creek. As a free bonus, I have a wooden coin created by the town of Matawan to commemorate the centennial of the attacks in 2016. I received it directly from the president of Matawan's historical society as a thank-you for giving the town copies of these prints.