Flappers

The flapper was an alluring vision of sophistication and freedom for young women globally. She danced, drank to excess and smoked, drove cars, bobbed her hair and generally defied conventions of ‘modest’ feminine behaviour.

After encountering these insouciant role models in magazines and film, some women turned to crime to fund their own pursuit of this exciting lifestyle. The Specials of female felons unexpectedly document the fashion of the times as hemlines rise, silk stockings glimmer in the sunlight and luxurious mink coats are caught on camera alongside less showy wraps.

Edna May Lindsay

22 March 1929

Suspected of forging and uttering

Lindsay was in love with a young man who dreamed of being a dancer. The couple needed funds to marry and set off together on a national dancing tour. Lindsay stole a cheque from her employer and the lovers forged the signature, hoping to obtain £310 from the bank. They were arrested after bank officials became suspicious. Lindsay and her boyfriend received suspended sentences and some advice from the judge: ‘Dancing is not everything in life’ (The Sun (Sydney), 17 April 1929).

Elsie Parker & Daisy May Rose Buchanan

29 August 1930

Suspected of assault and robbery

Parker and Buchanan invited a door-to-door salesman into their home, where they allegedly bashed him and robbed him of his money and stock of petticoats, bloomers, stockings and socks. They then bundled the bewildered man into a taxi and dumped him at a bus stop. The women were acquitted of the crime.

Edna Edgar

22 December 1926

Suspect, offence unknown

Cameron McIntosh Bean (alias Clifford Bennett), Special photograph number 781, 24 March 1922, possibly Central Police Station, Sydney
Underworld

Crime

The Roaring Twenties was a golden era for criminals

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The Roaring Twenties

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Stanley James Hay, Special Photograph number 167, c 1920, Central Police Station, Sydney
Underworld

Fallen soldiers

After the universal upheaval of World War I, many soldiers found it difficult to take up their former occupations and adjust to civilian life

Black and white image of man with thick curly hair. The words
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Joy-riders

From the beginning, young men and fast cars were a volatile mix

Black and white image of a man in a suit. The words
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Gangs

The lure of easy money from the illicit alcohol, drug and gambling trades encouraged the formation of new crime gangs

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Underworld

Behind the scenes: How to read a ‘special’

Around the world, police forces followed established conventions when taking mugshots. But Sydney police in the 1920s did things differently

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Underworld

Nerida Campbell Joins Studio 10

Today Underworld curator Nerida Campbell joined Studio 10 to share her insights into the captivating exhibition mugshots

Barbara Turner Taylor, Special photograph number 570, 10 October 1921, probably Central Police Station, Sydney
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Barbara Turner Taylor: Plotter

Described by police as the cleverest magswoman and confidence trickster in New South Wales, Barbara Turner Taylor was a master in manipulation

Black & white dual mugshot, with man seated (left) and standng (right), with inscription.
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Following in the footsteps of the Razor Gangs: Charlotte Lane

On 22 June 1927, the original razor gangster, Norman Bruhn, was shot to death by a gunman lurking in the shadows outside Mac’s sly-grog shop in Charlotte Lane, just around the corner from Stanley Street in Darlinghurst

Jack Dennison, special photograph number 27a, 30th April 1925, probably Central Police Station, Sydney
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The 'Apache' Thief

Join Nerida Campbell, curator of the Underworld exhibition as she continues to uncover interesting stories from Sydney’s seedy underworld

Dual mugshot, woman seated (left), standing with hat on (right).
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Ettie Benn: Escapologist

Ethel ‘Ettie’ Benn was an extraordinarily athletic thief who never learned from her mistakes

Guido Calletti, Special Photograph number 1848, 16 July 1929, Central Police Station, Sydney.
Underworld

Following in the footsteps of the Razor Gangs - Part 2

Join writer Larry Writer, author of Razor: Tilly Devine and the razor gangs in his latest instalment of walking the mean 1920s streets as featured on his Razorhurst walking tours

Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties exhibition installation view
Underworld

Behind The Scenes: Underworld Exhibition Design

Join Kieran Larkin Senior 3D Designer, as he takes us behind the scenes of the design of our Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties exhibition

Black and white photo looking across intersection at corner pub.
Underworld

Following in the footsteps of the Razor Gangs

Step into Sydney’s seedy underworld with Larry Writer, author of Razor: Tilly Devine and the razor gangs as he explores the mean streets of Kings Cross, Woolloomooloo, East Sydney and Darlinghurst as featured on his Razorhurst walking tours

Underworld

Behind the scenes: The Underworld Book

Join Bruce Smythe Senior Project Designer, as he takes us behind the scenes of the design of our 'Underworld: mugshots from the Roaring Twenties' publication