This is the story of Les Darcy | From the MRAG Collection

The Life of Les Darcy by Peter James, facsimile of comic strip by Peter James from the Daily Mirror Sydney, 13 May 1946. Photocopy on paper, 8.5 x 20.5cm. Purchased by Maitland Regional Art Gallery 2016

The 24th May 2017 marks the one hundredth anniversary of Les Darcy’s death in Memphis Tennessee. Since his death his legendary story has lived on – a genial, handsome, Maitland born boy, gifted with a natural sporting talent that saw him reach the top of his field and heralded as the World Middleweight Champion. From May 1946 the Sydney Daily Mirror ran two hundred and twenty two instalments of the comic strip ‘The Life of Les Darcy’ created by the artist Peter James. The story retells Darcy’s life and career during a time when boxing was a major sport in Australia, World War I was taking its toll and the conscription debate was brewing, prompting Darcy to stow away on a ship leaving from Stockton to the United States. This exhibition features a copy of Peter James’ comic strip along with items and images from the MRAG Collection that retell this century old story.

20 May – 23 July 2017

Video courtesy of Newcastle Herald