Physique. A Pictorial History of the Athletic Model Guild
San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 1982. 1st Edition. Quarto, publisher's stiff photo-illustrated paper wraps.
Anthology of physique photography by pioneering beefcake photographer and filmmaker Bob Mizer and his Athletic Model Guild (AMG), edited by LGBTQ publishing pioneer Winston Leyland. Mizer established AMG in 1945 after working as an apprentice for silent filmstar-turned-physique photographer Frederick Kovert, ostensibly as an agency for bodybuilders attempting to break into the film industry. Mizer issued his quarterly magazine Physique Pictorial through AMG, billing it as a "health and fitness" magazine to avoid obscenity charges. The most popular publication of its kind, it contained beefcake photography, original drawings, along with Mizer's musings on various topics including homophobia, censorship, capital punishment, among other sociopolitical issues. This survey comprises a selection of his portraits, featuring many iconic models from the mid-20th century, including Ed Fury, Gustaf Holmes, and Joe Dallesandro. One of the most significant literary figures to come out of the post-Stonewall literary scene, Leyland is best known as the founder of Gay Sunshine Press, which originated as a literary journal featuring work by gay-identifying writers. Illustrated with color and black-and-white plates. Minor edgewear, else fine. Item #13154
$75.00