Photographic postcards of boxers and admission tickets for boxing matches at Baker's Stadium [Sydney Stadium], between 1913 and 1915.

MLMSS 11477/Box 1X

fonds

1912-1916

Graphic Materials, Photographs, Ephemera

9650523

0.23 metres of textual and graphic material (1 outsize box)

Sydney Stadium was built in 1908 in a paddock at Rushcutters Bay to stage boxing and wrestling matches. In 1912 the stadium was acquired by the sportsman Reginald 'Snowy' Baker (1884-1953) and his brother Harald for £30,000. In 1914, Stadiums Pty. Ltd. was formed with Baker, Richard Lean and the Melbourne based financier and gambler John Wren (1871-1953). Baker's Stadiums then opened in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, and began hosting international boxers. Snowy Baker managed Australia's most famous boxer Les Darcy (1895–1917), who made his name at Sydney Stadium.
First World War restrictions closed Sydney Stadium in 1916, and it reopened at the end of the war. Boxing matches continued to be held there until the 1970s, although by the 1950s it was also being used for music and stage productions. Sydney Stadium was demolished in 1973 to make way for the overhead section of the Eastern Suburbs Railway.
This collection includes images of nine boxers who were inducted into Australian Boxing Hall of Fame, three with the status of 'honorary internationals' (Jimmy Clabby, Eddie McGoorty, and 'Hop' Harry Stone). Jerry Jerome (1874–1943), a Yiman man from Queensland and Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame inductee is also depicted.
Arthur McQuitty was a notable printer of high quality publications including Art in Australia and The Home.
References: Library acquisition file

24 colour process lithograph postcards and 7 admission tickets for Baker’s Stadium [Sydney Stadium] boxing matches, ca. 1913-1916.
Postcards feature photographs of boxers in fighting pose, including Bill Lang, Arthur Pelkey, Tom McCormick, Ray Bronson, Jimmy Clabby, Fritz Holland, Johnny Summers, Tim Land, Dave Smith, Jules Dubourg, Eddie McGoorty, Jeff Smith, Owen Moran, Alf Morey, Fred Kay, Jerry Jerome, Milburn Saylor, Pat Bradley, 'Hop' Harry Stone, Jimmy Fitton, Matt Wells, Hughie Mehegan, Nat Williams, Herb McCoy. Each postcard includes name of boxer printed in the image and ‘Arthur McQuitty &Co.’ printers line on the verso.
Admission tickets for boxing matches including: Hill vs Edwards, Smith vs Hill, Claddy vs Uren, Edwards vs McCoy and on the same ticket: Graham vs Wastie and Murphy vs Coyle. Some tickets are annotated and stamped.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales