The Male Figure (Complete Set, 36 Volumes)

Los Angeles: Bruce of Los Angeles, 1956-1966.
First Edition.

Various sizes, most 19cm x 13cm. 36 volumes, illustrations, some colour. Pictorial saddle-stapled self-wrappers.

Complete run of the physique photography digest of Bruce Bellas (1909-1974), one of the prominent beefcake magazines of the 1950s and 1960s. Like other physique publications of the period, such as Bob Mizer’s ‘Physique Pictorial’, ‘The Male Figure’ presented its studies under the cover of bodybuilding and physical culture, the thin posing strap under which most gay erotic photography and publishing circulated in America before the relaxation of obscenity law in the late 1960s.

Some issues with minor shelf wear and rubbing to spines. No. 1 with some printers defect marks to front panel. Near Fine Condition.

AU$2,000