Description

Vintage clothing collector Keni Valenti’s extensive collection of rare beefcake pinups from the early to mid-twentieth century has never been seen before. Now this volume provides a sneak peak into the best images from the collection, male nudes culled from vintage magazines of men for men with names like “Muscle,” “Adonis,” “International Nudist Sun,” “Tomorrow’s Man,” “Strength and Health,” and “Buck and Champ.” Many of the photographs feature little-known work from star models and photographers such as Bruce of LA, D.R Parker, Kim Hanson, Kris Studio, Arax Studio Paris (very valuable and rare), Karoll’s of Havana (extremely rare), and numerous images by Don Whitman and the Western Photography Guild.

Beefcake is organized thematically (as with Bunny Yeager’s Darkroom and Bettie Page), with chapters including: Mr Ripped (from “Muscle” magazine); Man’s Man (more overtly gay images); Men-Ups (campy male pin-ups / beefcake poses a la cheesecake); Heartthrobs (movie stars); Hunks + Studs; Rugged + Rough; Cowboys + Indians; and Gladiators. The book features facsimile reproductions of the magazine covers and some interior spreads, celebrating the kitsch of the material and the mid-century graphic design.