Items from Bruce of LA

Bruce Bellas (1909 - 1974) aka Bruce of Los Angeles

I have a few lovely pictures from Bruce - the two types I've noticed are the fancy script stamp, "Bruce" and the plain Bruce of Los Angeles stamp on earlier ones.  Here are two I own that are lovely when examined closer.  The models names, I have yet to discover unless I failed to note it from the back.

 

Popular 30's, 40's and 50's poses toyed with the notion of Greek/Roman perfection and played on that trope.  Physique models took cues from bodybuilder poses and heterosexual men were easily duped into shedding clothing to show off their hard work.   

 

This photo of a faux fencing pose is an early example of a fully nude model without the genitals on display.  Notice in each of these poses, arms and legs are not hidden and the pose is deliberately instructed and captured.  

See my video flipping through the American Photography of the Male Nude - the first volume featuring some amazing models.  Other than this book, there is the Inside/Outside monograph that is probably the best coffee table book on the photographs.  They did a great job with that one!  The various physique mags that Bruce put out are highly collectable and usually go for $45 on up on eBay.

Selected Links:

The Man Who Pioneered Beefcake Photography

The Band of Brothers who Risked it all for Male Erotica