mug shot(s) monday

special photograph no. 1607 - taken at the central police station, sydney, nsw

C. SMITH, JOSEPH BEZZINA, WILLIAM J WILLIAMSON, AIDEN FERUTRILLl, GEORGE HODDER, WILLIAM THORSON, 25 January 1928…

special photograph no. 1608 - taken at the central police station, sydney, nsw

B. SMITH, GERTRUDE THOMPSON & VERA MCDONALD, 25 January 1928…

These two particular group mug shots were (apparently) taken in the aftermath of a raid led by CIB Chief Bill Mackay – later to be Commissioner of Police – on a house at 74 Riley Street, ‘lower Darlinghurst’. Multiple charges were heard against the 15 men and women arrested. Lessee Joe Bezzina was charged with “being the keeper of a house frequented by reputed thieves”, and some of the others were charged with assault, and with “being found in a house frequented by reputed thieves”.

Naturally the prosecution cast the raid in most heroic terms – the Chief of the CIB, overwhelmingly outnumbered, had struggled hand to hand in “a sweltering melee in one of the most notorious thieves’ kitchens in Sydney”… and, of course, the defence, described its clients as attending “a quiet party, a few drinks, some singing … violently interrupted by a squad of hostile, brawling police” (Truth, 29 January 1928). The court gallery was packed with friends of the accused, who loudly jeered both the prosecution and police witnesses.

Unfortunately, dames & gents, I couldn’t turn up any information as to the outcome of the court case, so this story will remain without a confirmed ending… but even more frustrating  is the sad reality that no-one today seems to make shoes as wonderful as those donning the  feet of Mrs. B. Smith!

and remember, guys & dolls, it’s always advisable to step out in style…. for you never know when your photograph might be taken…

x analiebe

(image & factual information c/ the historic houses trust picture catalogue)

but you simply must have foundation, darling! (the berlei story) . . . . part 1# -the 1920s

this ones for the dames boys… but i’m sure they won’t mind if you take a peek behind the dressing room door…

as a huge fan of vintage undergarments I wanted to share with you a little of australias’ lingerie past….

the iconic lingerie brand berlei originated right here in australia…

berlei limited was born in sydney in 1910 under the guise of company unique corsets…astute businessman & marketing genius frederick r. burley recognised both the profitability of the corset business & the potential to replace the wholesale section of this business from overseas imports to local production…

image c/ www.corsetiere.net

image c/ www.corsetiere.net

in 1913 burley made his first overseas business trip to the u.s. in order to learn & attain the techniques, method & machinery required…

the brand name was coined soon after – fred burley felt the actual spelling of his name was not product appropriate and with a slight tweak “berlei” as a brand was born & registered in 1917… berlei limited was one of the first australian companies to expand beyond its own shores – incorporating berlei new zealand ltd. in 1923 and then later berlei u.k. (but more of that in part 2)...

in january 1922 the original wilmott street factory was moved to berlei house in regent street…

fred burley’s vision for the company was “To Design and Manufacture Corsets and Brassieres of such perfect Fit, Quality, and Workmanship, as will bring pleasure and profit to all concerned, while at the same time rendering such excellent service to our Clients and Consumers as will merit their permanent patronage”

interior berlei house

frederick r. burley

i was very excited to find a series of vintage berlei film advertisements to share with you as part of this series… as we are currently in the 1920s the one that accompanies part 1#, naturally, is a silent film but i have included an audio track you can play whilst you watch…. enjoy!…

…so remember ladies,

to get along in life it is essential one has a good foundation…

x analiebe

(a slightly delayed) mug shot monday…

special photograph no. D21 (drug bureau photograph) - taken at the central polive station, sydney, nsw

HENRY REID, 7th January 1930…

Yet another elegant and beautifully composed photographic portrait of an alluringly-hatted Australian Crook for your (belated) Monday mug shot…

Handsome Henry Reid, a blacksmith by trade, proves a rather elusive character to investigate – No entry under his name appears in the NSW Police Gazette for this date, but he is cited there nine months later as having been released on license following a conviction for assault in January, and for unlawfully supplying cocaine in February.

a rather busy boy it so seems… and missing his shoes in the above photograph although it appears his various business activities, legitimate or otherwise, kept him in elegant socks indeed…

(image & factual information c/ the historic houses trust picture catalogue)

x analiebe