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Nerida Campbell Joins Studio 10

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

C Smith, J Bezzina, W J Williamson, A Feutrill, G Hodder and W Thorson, Special Photograph number 1607, 25 January 1928, Central Police Station, Sydney

Underworld Blog

Descend into Sydney’s seedy underworld with our blog. Discover exclusive stories, never-before-seen images, and behind-the-scenes insights

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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

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

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.
Underworld

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
Underworld

The 'Apache' Thief

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