The Male Figure, Nos. 1-20
The first 20 issues of the quarterly physique digest published by American photographer Bruce Bellas, also known as Bruce of Los Angeles. Featuring primarily Bruce of Los Angeles's high-contrast and staged black-and-white photographs, these magazines appear on the surface to center on bodybuilding, fitness and physical culture. However, publications like these served as an important outlet for queer erotic imagery during an era of strict censorship.
Bruce Bellas took on the moniker Bruce of Los Angeles, shooting male physique and bodybuilder photographs, working for the magazines that began appearing in the 1940s-'50s of male physique photos, often with homoerotic allure. He eventually set up his own studio in his garage photographing male models and creating a personal style of eroticism combined with Midwestern wholesomeness. Bellas died while traveling in Canada in 1974. Item #2174.
Condition: Overall Very Good+, some issues with light edgewear and some with light rubbing to front and back covers; Vol. 8 with soft creasing and three closed tears along left edge of back cover, all smaller than .25"; Vol. 12 with moderate rubbing to edges of front cover; Vol. 13 with a small corner bump and soft creasing to top left corner of front cover.
Price: $800.00