Crime

The underworld is a society in itself, and a society which knows sterner laws of caste and position than the social world of any of the great cities of the world.

Truth (Sydney), 26 October 1924

The Roaring Twenties was a golden era for criminals. Social change post World War I brought opportunity, especially for the criminal elite. New markets emerged that could generate incredible wealth for those willing to operate outside the law. In Sydney, the strongest and most cunning criminal bosses monopolised the sale of illicit drugs and drink, employing toughs to protect their interests, clever crims to devise new scams, and weaker ones to do the drudge jobs.

The crime bosses and their gangs carved up the inner city into mini empires. As transport options improved, the middle classes moved away from the centre, leaving inner-city suburbs of multi-level terrace housing to fall into disrepair – and disrepute. Densely populated Surry Hills became Kate Leigh’s heartland, brothel madam Matilda ‘Tilly’ Devine dominated the slums of East Sydney, and ‘bludger’ (pimp) and sly grogger Phil Jeffs’s territory spread across Darlinghurst (nicknamed ‘Razorhurst’ following a number of razor attacks) and later into the central business district. Turf warfare frequently erupted between established and aspiring bosses over control of vice and drugs in these downtrodden areas of the city.

Perhaps curiously for people living such chaotic lives, criminals created their own strangely rigid power structure. The hero of the 1920s was the successful bank robber – ballsy, armed and dangerous. At the bottom of the pile were those who preyed on children and the elderly. Featured here are four categories of felon – bosses, plotters, bruisers and petty crims.

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Black and white image from the 1920s of a man who looks to be in his 50s.
Underworld

Bosses

Sydney’s underworld bosses were tough, resolute and violent – mess with one and you would know you had been in a fight

Black and white photo of a blonde man in a suit with scruffy hair. He is smirking.
Underworld

Bruisers

The brawn of Sydney’s underworld, bruisers had a penchant for senseless violence

Black and white image of man looking into the camera. The words
Underworld

Petty crims

Petty criminals made up the largest group of felons and committed a diverse array of crimes, ranging from stealing to using offensive language

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

William John Mackay, NSW Police Commissioner
Underworld

Central Police Station – a policeman’s critique

Most of the Special photographs were taken in the yards at Sydney’s Central Police Station, located in the central business district next to the Central court complex

Dual mugshot in black and white; man seated and then man standing, with hat on.
Underworld

The Black Hand in Sydney

Restrictions on the sale of alcohol offered tantalising opportunities for organised crime groups around the world

The Roaring Twenties

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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

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
Underworld

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
Underworld

Gangs

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

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

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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
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