Petty crims

He is the Jackal or the thieving criminal, incapable of a master stroke.

Crookwell Gazette, 23 February 1927

Petty criminals made up the largest group of felons and committed a diverse array of crimes, ranging from stealing to using offensive language. Few people crossed the path of a crime boss but many would have met a petty criminal. They were the reason people bought home insurance, avoided dark alleys and balked at offers that seemed too good to be true. Small-time crooks were constantly on the lookout for new opportunities and targets, and their activities kept police busy.

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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Underworld

Black and white image of man. The words
Underworld

NSW Police ‘Specials’

People in the Specials photographs were yet to have their day in court. The lack of signs that the person was in custody, such as handcuffs, meant the images could be shown to a witness during a criminal investigation without prejudicing the person against the suspect

Dual black and white mugshot, man standing with hat on (left) and seated (right).
Underworld

Special uses

Police used Specials photographs in different ways

Black and white image of a woman looking pensive to the side of the viewer. The words
Underworld

Flappers

The flapper was an alluring vision of sophistication and freedom for young women globally

Black and white photograph of a man wearing glasses. Words Alex W. Robertson, Mountbatton  18.1.23 are written by hand on the image
Underworld

Plotters

Parting fools from their money was the plotter’s goal, and took careful planning and superior powers of persuasion

Underworld Blog

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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

DES17_FP07_0026_004detail.jpg
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
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

Dual mugshot, woman seated (left), standing with hat on (right).
Underworld

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