Inner Circle and Mentees

Marm Mandelbaum had an affinity for female crooks, and encouraged their ambitions. Most notably, she mentored Sophie Lyons, though she also worked with Lena Kleinschmidt, Ellen Clegg, Queen Liz, Little Annie, Old Mother Hubbard, Big Mary, and Kid Glove Rosey.

Sophie Lyons

Sophie Lyons, nicknamed “Queen of the Underworld”, was a nineteenth-century American pickpocket, blackmailer, conwoman, and bank robber. She was raised in the New York underworld by Jewish immigrant parents who trained her to pickpocket and shoplift. Newspapers around the world chronicled Sophie's exploits for more than sixty years. Sophie was married to some of the most notorious burglars in America, escaped from Sing Sing Prison with one of her husbands, wore elaborate disguises, used her sex appeal to steal from wealthy men, invested a fortune in real estate, and gave it away. She eventually retired from criminal life and spent her later years involved in rehabilitating juvenile delinquents, and providing financial assistance and housing for reformed criminals and their families. Her autobiography, Why Crime Does Not Pay (1913), was published by William Randolph Hearst. She is widely considered to be one of the best con-woman in American history. To read more, click here.

Lena Kleinschmidt

“Black” Lena Kleinschmidt was a German-born New York criminal who worked as a jewel thief during the late 19th century. She was arrested with Kid Glove Rosey for shoplifting. Once released, she moved to Hackensack, where she posed as the wealthy widow of a South American mining tycoon, became known as a local hostess giving elaborate dinner parties in the style of Mandelbaum.

Ellen Clegg

Ellen Clegg was a New York criminal specializing in pickpocketing and shoplifting.

Queen Liz

Queen Liz was the pseudonym of an American thief and pickpocket who was a prominent member of New York's underworld during the mid-to late 19th century.

Annie Reilly

Annie Reilly, also known as Little Annie, was a 19th century American thief and con artist widely regarded as "the cleverest woman in her line in America".

Margret Brown

Margaret Brown, also known as Old Mother Hubbard, was one of the most well-publicized female thieves in the United States during the mid-to late 19th century.

Eliza Wallace

Eliza Wallace, also known as Big Mary or Boston Mary, was a prominent thief in the 1860s and 1870s.

Christene Mayer

Christene Mayer, also known as Kid Glove Rosey, was born in Germany, and became known as a prominent shoplifter in New York and other major cities before her arrest with "Black" Lena Kleinschmidt.