This set of pictures were provided by the Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington DC and dramatically brought to life after colourisation by British colourisation expert Tom Marshall. “I was asked to colourise these images of the Prohibition, perfectly capturing both the fashion and atmosphere of this fascinating chapter in American history”, said Tom. “In January 1919 the American Congress passed the Eighth Amendment, outlawing alcohol and ushering in the infamous Prohibition era. Throughout the 1920s the state tried but failed to enforce the ban of alcohol throughout the States. Those who opposed the law found ever-creative ways to enjoy a drink”, Tom explained. Bootlegging was rampant, as were stores and clubs who secretly served liquor”. Here: After a thrilling chase through the busiest streets of Washington, a couple of bootleggers and their car come to grief at the hands of the Capitol police, 21st January 1922. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach, right, watching agents pour liquor into sewer following a raid during the height of prohibition, circa 1921. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





Women and the ballot box: Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform, 1932. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





Woman holding poster “Abolish Prohibition!” 1931. By now attitudes were beginning to change and many campaigned for prohibition to be repealed. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





“Bootleg”–woman putting flask in her Russian boot, Washington, D.C, 21st January 1922. Interesting to note the swastika floor tiles, a popular luck symbol throughout the world before the outbreak of WW2. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





Stop when you see this sign. This is the new insignia plate the Bureau of Prohibition has adopted for use by prohibition agents in stopping suspected automobiles. In the photograph, from left to right, are; Prohibition Administrator Ames Woodcock, H.M. Lucious, secretary of the Automobile Club of Maryland, and Ernest M.Smith, vice- president of the A.A.A., 30th August 1925. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





Policeman standing alongside wrecked car and cases of moonshine, 16th November 1922. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





Woman seated at a soda fountain table pouring alcohol into a cup from a cane, with a large Coca-Cola advertisement on the wall, 13th February 1922. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)





A man carrying a case of “Four Roses” whiskey on his shoulder, possibly confiscated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Bureau. (Photo by Tom Marshall/Mediadrumworld)