The artist, a bi-sexual Englishman, was one of the more prominent purveyors of nude male magazines and photographs in the post-war period, some of which earned him time in prison. He published magazines such as "Man to Man" and "Golden Boys" and assorted others, but he also self-published several books with more serious allusions, such as the "Superb Youth," series which attempt to cross the line into more conventional "artist's books." Notwithstanding this pretense, the books contain a wealth of well-endowed and quite attractive young men in assorted provocative poses. This profile portrait on “scraper board” measures 15.25” x 12”, signed “JB ’59” at lower left, a few light surface cracks. More
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The Colt Album
London (1973). 50pp. 4to. An uncommon volume showcasing the work of gay-artist Jim French. Illustrated throughout with full-page pencil drawings. Jim French (1932–2017) was an American photographer, filmmaker and publisher who, under the pseudonym Rip Colt, created Colt Studio. French left a legacy of homoerotic images in photo sets, magazines, books and calendars that presented his work exclusively and set a new standard in photography of nude men. A fine copy in illustrated wrappers. More
Original pen and ink of recumbent male nude (20" x 14")
John S. Barrington (aka John Paignton) was a pioneering pornographer and bisexual photographer of male ""physique"" images in postwar Britain. He was routinely harassed by British authorities and spent time in jail for publishing gay muscle magazines. He was also an accomplished artist and much of Barrington's artwork appeared in his numerous publications, such as the Art and Anthropometry series. A very good example of his work, some wear to edges and paper, but very good otherwise. Unsigned. More
Superb Youth in the Nu-Man-Ifique
London: Barrington (1970-71). Issues 1-4 of this short-lived publication, each limited to 250 copies. Barrington had been imprisoned for publishing pornography in the 1960s and issued these publications in a more limited way in order to avoid legal problems. Each issue contains images of male nudes printed on Barrington's lithography machine, bound in blue stapled wrappers. See Smith, Physique: The Life of John S. Barrington @184. Uncommon. More
Original pen and ink drawing of Tibor (9" x 14")
John S. Barrington (aka John Paignton) was a pioneering pornographer and bisexual photographer of male ""physique"" images in postwar Britain. He was routinely harassed by British authorities and spent time in jail for publishing gay muscle magazines. He was also an accomplished artist and much of Barrington's artwork appeared in his numerous publications, such as the Art and Anthropometry series. This is a pen and ink drawing on board of one of his favorite models "Tibor," who appeared in many of his publications. The lower right bears the letter "P" and the date of 1964 and the name "Tibor" appears at both the bottom right and left. There is considerable water staining at the edges but the image itself is not affected. More
Standing male nude (10" x 18")
John S. Barrington (aka John Paignton) was a pioneering pornographer and bisexual photographer of male ""physique"" images in postwar Britain. He was routinely harassed by British authorities and spent time in jail for publishing gay muscle magazines. He was also an accomplished artist and much of Barrington's artwork appeared in his numerous publications, such as the Art and Anthropometry series. This is an original painting on board, which is signed by the artist in pencil (lower right corner) and dated 1980. More
A Camera Life-Class: Volume I, Book II
Barrington: London (1970). 4to. More male nudes from the prolific photographer. The artistic pretentions start to slip in this volume and the drawings and photographs are equally provocative. Very good in very good spiral binding with plain blue wrappers. One of 100 copies published. More