Underworld mugshots remarkable exhibition at Museum of Sydney

Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties is a remarkable photographic exhibition at the Museum of Sydney revealing the city’s criminal class — and there’s a local link.

Sydney underworld figure Kate Leigh. Underworld: Mugshots of the Roaring Twenties at Museum of Sydney. Images © NSW Police Forensic Photographic Archive, Sydney Living Museums

• The extraordinary Ettalong house of underworld cocaine king
• The Mentalist Siomon Baker will be at Avoca Beach

Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties, a remarkable photographic exhibition which opened at the Museum of Sydney in December, reveals Sydney’s criminal hierarchy in the aftermath of World War I.

“This decade saw massive social upheaval and fast times bred new crimes,” Sydney Living Museums curator Nerida Campbell said.

Augustine 'Gus' Gracey (alias Charles August Deane, Charles August De Gracie, Charles Augustine De Gracie) and Edgar 'Eddie' Dalton (alias Adamson Mitchell), circa 1920 Credit line: NSW Police Forensic Archives, Sydney Living Museums From the exhibition:

“Criminals moved into new markets including the illicit sale of alcohol and cocaine and the police had to employ every tool and technology available to keep up.”

Taken between 1920 and 1930, these compelling images of criminal bosses, plotters, bruisers, petty crims, wayward youth and fallen soldiers were never intended to be seen by the public.

It’s a period of history with a local twist to it.

Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties exhibition. Picture: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive, Sydney Living Museums.

Among the faces are the likes of Cocaine King Phil “The Jew” Jeffs who had a house at Ettalong Beach, and underworld figure Kate Leigh who once appeared in Woy Woy Court charged with assault and stealing three pounds.

Suspects in the exhibition smile, scowl and simper for the camera in poses of their own choosing unlike the deadpan stares found in conventional mugshots from around the world.

The photograph of Raymond James Worland and John Donald Munro Canavan, circa November 1920, is part of a new exhibition at the Museum of Sydney — UNDERWORLD: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties.

These images have attitude be it good, bad or indifferent. As well as capturing the subjects physical appearance, they show a hint of their personality; smoking, reading, chatting, slouched on chairs, holding handbags and often wearing stylish outfits.

Edna May Lindsay, 22 March 1929 Credit line: NSW Police Forensic Archives, Sydney Living Museums From the exhibition:

After nearly 100 years, more than 2500 ‘Specials’ images have now been scanned and researched as part of the NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive held at the Justice & Police Museum.

“The collection is mostly made up of glass-plate negatives that have been digitally scanned. The high quality of the material on which they were captured and the skill of the police photographer allows us today to see a wealth of unexpected detail.”

Gladys Lowe, 28 September 1928 Picture: NSW Police Forensic Archives, Sydney Living Museums From the exhibition: Underworld Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties Museum of Sydney.

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties

WHEN: Until August

WHERE: Museum of Sydney, cnr Phillip & Bridge streets, Sydney

COST: Free with museum admission: $12 general, $8 concession, $30 family

Free for members