Happy New Year!

(image courtesy of Woolf and Wilde)

Thanks for sticking with me through this crazy year.

Let's make this new one something to remember -- and I mean that in the best possible way!

Cheers, fellas!

Check out "The Island of Naked Men"

There's a new blogger in the vintage male arena, and I'd like everyone to check him out. Gordon's "L'Ile des Hommes Nus" -- that's "The Island of Naked Men" according to Google, though perhaps "Nude" would be a more appropriate translation -- promises to bring you to "An imaginary place where men enjoy the outside naked and free. A photo blog dedicated to the male body, illustrated by vintage physique pictures."

So far he's made four posts in four days (a much better track record than I've ever accomplished!) and each is a stunner. Please check out his site and give him some encouragement!

Glenn Bishop and buddy!

What a terrific photo -- two prime portions of beefcake, flexing and smiling just for you!

Of course, the young man on the right is icon Glenn Bishop, but who is that on the left? I'm 95% sure that it is Tim Sweeney. Since both Glenn and Tim are known to have been photographed by Cliff Oettinger, I'm going to attribute this photo to him. If anyone can confirm or deny my guesses, please feel free to write me!

Karl Kruger (aka Phil Knight) by AMG

Bruce of LA's photos are more well-known, but AMG snapped Karl (or Phil, if you prefer) first!

I wonder if Karl just finished watching the New Year's festivities and is heading off to bed, just like me? :-P

unknown blond Tarzan!

Here David shares a scan of a photo from his personal collection! This might be an AMG photo but I'm not 100% sure of that.

Jean Ferrero assortment

Some wonderful nudes by the incomparable Jean Ferrero, courtesy of our pal David!

I don't have names for any of these gents, except for photo #4 -- the blond is Frank Hollfelder and the brunet is Francois Rossi.

Bob by John Palatinus

Here's a photo by another man who knew how to pack a model into a pair of pants!

In the Summer 1958 issue of "Physique Pictorial," Bob Mizer wrote the following article on what he deemed excesses by a couple of certain photographers --


THE “BIG BASKET” FRAUD.

Though the great majority of persons interested in physique photography and art are idealistic in their concepts and are dismayed at vulgar displays, there seems to be a limited segment with a one-track mind interested in seeing an exaggerated masculine appendage. While the average physique photographer does not force his models to wear a steel corset or truss under trousers or trunks to insure complete lack of form, neither does he go out of his way to point up more form than is naturally apparent. But a couple of photographers, particularly one on the U. S. East Coast and one in England, have apparently reasoned that if girls with flat breasts can wear falsies, why can’t ungifted men do something similar. Consequently, one of these uses an object known as a “dildoe,” while the other employs an old sock appropriately molded. The result tends to be ludicrous rather than sensual. While some customers of these firms have been offended by the ridiculous, unnatural exaggerations, others have been annoyed by the insult to their intelligence.

There is a considerable difference between a picture done for vulgar display and one done to portray beauty and handsomeness. There is also a certain border line which it is wise for photographers to consider a “no man’s land.” This border line shifts from year to year – sometimes more liberal, sometimes more strict. Greedy or unthinking photographers who consistently go to the extreme tend actually to galvanize the opposition to all physical display, and thereby push the borderline into the stricter side.

Frankly, we feel that an athlete sporting an exaggerated artificial “bulge” looks as ridiculous and unaesthetic as a boy sticking out his tongue. We have personally written our sentiments to some of the offending photographers but thus far they have remained silent. If you should at any time receive mailings from such firms, write them a letter urging them to keep their offerings clean and thus avoid catastrophe for themselves as well as the entire physique field.

The two artists he was referring to were obviously John Palatinus and Scott of London (Tom Nicoll). Both artists' sensibilities were sympatico, though they formed independently on separate shores. In 1959, Palatinus would be arrested for selling his "lewd" photos through the mail, and in the very early 60s Nicoll would put his camera away, apparently voluntarily.

Now, 50 years later, you'll be able to see this photo of Bob as part of an exhibit of Palatinus' work to be held in Paris at the gallery Au Bonheur Du Jour in just a few weeks....

My, how the world has changed!

Ray Swales by Scott of London

A wonderful slab of British Beef! (With thanks to Dan for the scans.)

Tom Nicoll was seen in San Francisco as recently as 2009, according to famous leatherman Brandon Clark. His work in the early fifties was an inspiration to Tom of Finland, and continues to spark feverish fetishy dreams in all who continue to discover his art.

This devoted fan thanks you for your wonderful images, Mr. Nicoll!

Martin Moss by WPG

I'm trusting the attribution on this one, but it should be noted that Bruce of LA also photographed Martin in the same locations used by Don Whitman.

Jim Smith by Bruce of LA

Nothing like a little muscle to start the day (too bad about the baggy pouch, though!)...

Richard Bennett by Les Demi-Dieux

Physical perfection, captured by the lens of New York photographer Danny Fitzgerald.

Nestor by Les Demi-Dieux

Danny Fitzgerald, who worked under the studio name "Les Demi-Dieux," must have taken hundreds of photos of Nestor, second only to his most famous model, Richard Bennett.

Cliff Lopez by Dave Martin

3 by Al Urban

Simply perfect.

Thank you for these, Robert!

blond beauty by Bruce

Carmen Cacopardo by Champion

John Palatinus one-day exhibit at The Chaps Bar in Liege, Belgium - Sept. 25!!!

My friend John Palatinus is wrapping up his holiday in Paris this week with a special detour to present a one-night-only exhibit of his work at The Chaps Bar in Liege, Belgium! This "vernissage" of his work is to whet your appetite for his next gallery show to be held in Paris, January of 2011 (more on that later!).

The exhibit is open at 4:00 PM this Saturday, September 25. John's European agent has also arranged for a small dinner event with John that evening (check the poster for details). The fetish party starting later that evening should be a blast as well!

Special thanks to Bernd for putting this evening together, as well as working on the Paris event, and the wonderful new website devoted to John at www.john-palatinus.com! You rock, buddy! I sure wish I could join you and John for this exciting evening!

kinkliege.com

The Chaps Bar

john-palatinus.com

alan on the airwaves - WTF?!?

Very short notice (because I didn't read my emails for a couple of days) -- I have been invited to talk about John and his exhibit at The Chaps Bar in Liege, Belgium on the weekly "Pinkwave" radio show broadcast on 106.7FM Radio Centraal out of Antwerp! Crazy, huh? !!!!! I'll be interviewed by Kurt and Paul on Thursday, September 23, sometime in the last half hour of the program -- 9:30 PM in Belgium, or 12:30 PM Pacific Time.

If you should so choose, you can stream the show live by downloading the playlist link for your media player of choice at this page (I use VLC myself).

My first ever interview! (By phone, of course -- maybe someday I'll be able to visit Antwerp and Liege and all the other fun places in Belgium!) Wish me luck, fellas!

Update, September 23 Sorry gang -- I got a call at 12:15 that technical difficulties in the studio meant the interview couldn't happen. Oh well! Deze dingen gebeuren!

Make sure you go to The Chaps Bar this Saturday, now!

Sheila E. -- "Sex Cymbal"

The song that should have been a massive hit, but wasn't...

Believe me, it's worth waiting for the 30-second commercial at the beginning to end -- a fun, sassy, sexy song -- with an appearance by a then-unknown Angelina Jolie to look out for (if you want) -- the last 30 seconds always blow me away -- just wish I could find a higher quality version!

Robbie Williams -- "Feel"

Just a song I love...

Ed Fury by AMG

Bob Mizer's use of props and back-projection give this AMG photo a stunning 3D-look!

Bill Preston by Hoffman of Edinburgh

Thanks to DAN.

guys' night out -- a memento

Ben Stackowski by Bruce of LA

Frank Lombardo by Vulcan

unknown by Bruce of LA

unknown by Dave Martin

From a large file of unidentified Dave Martin pics I stumbled across a while back. I love the fact that this young stud was so obviously VERY EXCITED during his photo session! Martin's nudes are among the best ever taken, but his capturing this specific moment makes this one stand apart from even his other gems.

Especially for Stan -- thanks for the wonderful surprise! -- I dedicate this photo and today's other posts.