Items Similar to BILL SEAY Vintage 1950s Physique Beefcake Photo Set (10) of Model BERNIE ERNST
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13
Bill Seay of Venice CaliforniaBILL SEAY Vintage 1950s Physique Beefcake Photo Set (10) of Model BERNIE ERNST1950s
1950s
$775
£588.05
€672.39
CA$1,082.46
A$1,203.55
CHF 628.43
MX$14,650.18
NOK 8,018.48
SEK 7,512.94
DKK 5,018.13
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
Series of 10 Vintage 1950s Gelatin Silver photographs by physique photographer BILL SEAY of Venice, California. The male physique model BERNIE ERNST.
BERNIE ERNST was a young medical student at the time who held several West Coast physique titles. The photo with the bamboo pole was printed as a full page in the August 1960 issue of The Young Physique magazine, a premiere publication in the "posing strap" era. This series is a rare vintage example of Seay's work in the late 1950s. This Series of 10 was a 'Model of the Month' Club featured addition in popular physique magazines.
BILL SEAY (1922-2012) was born in Chicago but began his working life in Hollywood as Billy Seay, child actor, during the late silent film and early talkies era. He was featured in “Kid Millions” with Eddie Cantor, “Topaze” with John Barrymore, “Rough Riders” with Charles Farrell, and “The Unknown” with Lon Chaney and the young Joan Crawford, among other films.
As an adult, Seay followed in his father’s footsteps as an artist, joining the renowned mid-century designer Sascha Brastoff in his studio from 1952 to 1959. Seay served as co-author of the definitive book on Brastoff’s work, Collector’s Encyclopedia of Sascha Brastoff. Seay later gained minor Hollywood fame as as a portrait painter, portraits included Judy Garlard, Joan Crawford, Louis Armstrong, and George Reeves (television’s Superman). He worked casually as a portrait, headshot and male modeling portfolio photographer primarily during the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s. Seay later worked as an interior decorator and antiques dealer until his passing at the age of 90.
Price is for the series - all ten (10) original vintage photographs. All photographs have a white boarder and a premium semi-glossy finish.
- Creator:Bill Seay of Venice California (1922 - 2012, American)
- Creation Year:1950s
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 0.07 in (1.78 mm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Glenford, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: Bill Seay 10 of Bernie Ernst1stDibs: LU2458215135102
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1980
1stDibs seller since 2023
24 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Glenford, NY
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllBruce Bellas Vintage 1950s Photo Set of Male Physique model Bert Elliott
Located in Glenford, NY
Bruce of L. A. - Set of 2 Vintage 1950s gelatin silver photographs by celebrated 20th Century photographer Bruce Bellas also known as Bruce of Los Angeles, of young physique model Bert Elliott in 1951. These are original photographs from the "posing strap" era when nude photography was illegal. 'Bruce Los Angeles...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
BRUCE BELLAS Vintage 1950s Photo of Male Physique Model James Pappa
Located in Glenford, NY
BRUCE OF L.A. - classic 1950s gelatin silver photograph of physique model JAMES PAPPA by celebrated 20th Century photographer BRUCE BELLAS also known as Bruce of Los Angeles. This is an original photograph from the beefcake "posing strap" era when nude photography was illegal. 'Bruce Los Angeles...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
BRUCE BELLAS Vintage 1950s Photo of Male Physique Model Sam Stall
Located in Glenford, NY
BRUCE OF L.A. - classic 1950s gelatin silver photograph of physique model SAM STALL by celebrated 20th Century photographer BRUCE BELLAS also known as Bruce of Los Angeles. This is an original photograph, circa 1954, from the beefcake "posing strap" era when nude photography was illegal. 'Bruce Los Angeles...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bruce Bellas Vintage 1950s Photo Set of 2 Male Physique model Robert Kendall
Located in Glenford, NY
Bruce of LA - Set of 2 Authentic Vintage 1950s Silver Gelatin Male Physique Photographs by famed 20th Century photographer Bruce Bellas also known as Bruce of Los Angeles of model Ro...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Bruce Bellas Vintage 1950 Photo Set Male Physique Robert Kendall & Jerry Debry
Located in Glenford, NY
Bruce of LA - Set of 2 Authentic Vintage 1950s Silver Gelatin Male Physique Photographs by famed 20th Century photographer Bruce Bellas also known as Bruce of Los Angeles of models R...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
BRUCE BELLAS Vintage 1950s Photo of Male Physique Model JOHN HACKETT
Located in Glenford, NY
BRUCE OF L.A. - classic 1950s gelatin silver photograph of physique model JOHN HACKETT by celebrated 20th Century photographer BRUCE BELLAS also known as Bruce of Los Angeles. This is an original photograph, circa 1950s, from the beefcake "posing strap" era when nude photography was illegal. 'Bruce Los Angeles...
Category
1950s Post-War Nude Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
You May Also Like
Bruce of L.A.Original 1950s Male Physique Photograph Model Handsome Bill Gregory
By Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce Bellas
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, image # 7 of handsome male model Bill Gregory. Printed in the 1960s ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Other
Bruce of L.A. (Bruce Bellas) Original 50s Male Nude Photograph Masculine Model
By Bruce Bellas, Bruce of Los Angeles
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From an important 25 plus year collection of Male Physique and Beefcake photography, iconic image of masculine male model holding metal chain.. Printed in the 1960s and are all signed by the studio on verso when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA was alive. Beautifully, professionally framed. Double white mat and simple black frame. All original photos are 8 x 10. Framed 16.50" W x 19" H.
Please see other listings for more photographs from this collection available for sale for the 1st time. These listing photographs are very hard to shoot under glass. They are sharp, clear photographs printed the old fashioned way, by hand in the late 50s and early 60s.
BIO:
Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles.
History and influence
Bruce Harry Bellas was born in Alliance, Nebraska on July 7, 1909. He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947, when he began photographing bodybuilders in Los Angeles, California, beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, The Male Figure. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility. Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic 8 mm films with titles such as Cowboy Washup and Big Gun for Hire.
Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.
An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Other
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Early Bruce of Los Angeles Male Model Physique Orig B&W Photograph
By Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce Bellas
Located in Palm Springs, CA
It is becoming very rare to find a desirable original Bruce of Los Angeles vintage photograph. Especially with the iconic black and white checkerboard ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Paper
$520 Sale Price
20% Off
Bruce Bellas AKA Bruce of LA Original 1950s Male Physique Photo
By Bruce Bellas, Bruce of Los Angeles
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From an important 25 plus years collection of male physique and beefcake photography, image #2 of male model. (name unknown) Printed in the 1960s and are all signed by the studio when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA was alive. Beautifully, professionally framed. Double white mat and simple black frame. All orig photos are 8 x 10. Framed: 16.50" W x 19" H. Please see separate listings for many more original photographs from this collection. Note: these beautiful photos are VERY hard to photograph under glass. They are BEAUTIFUL crisp, sharp orinal photos printed BY HAND from the original negatives in the 50s and 60s that were printed before computer printed and generated images!
BIO:
Bruce Harry Bellas was born in Alliance, Nebraska on July 7, 1909. He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947, when he began photographing bodybuilders in Los Angeles, California, beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, The Male Figure. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility. Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic 8 mm films with titles such as Cowboy Washup and Big Gun for Hire.
Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.
An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Other
Bruce of LA Original 1950s Male Physique Photo Model Barry Adkins
By Bruce Bellas, Bruce of Los Angeles
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From a important 25 plus years collection of Male Physique and Beefcake Photography, Image # 8 of male model Barry Adkins. Printed in the 1960s and are all signed by the studio when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA was alive. Beautifully, professionally framed. Double white mat and simple black frame. All orig photos are 8 x 10. Framed: 16.50" W x 19" H. Other images from this L.A gallery show on separate listings... please check often while we list more every week. These photographs are very hard to shoot under glass. They are sharp, clear photographs printed the old fashioned way, by hand in the late 50s and early 60s.
BIO:
Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles.
History and influence:
Bruce Harry Bellas was born in Alliance, Nebraska on July 7, 1909. He worked as a chemistry teacher there until 1947, when he began photographing bodybuilders in Los Angeles, California, beginning with taking pictures of bodybuilding competitions. In 1956, Bellas launched his own magazine, The Male Figure. Among physique photographers, Bellas' work was noted for having a distinctly campy, tongue-in-cheek sensibility. Bellas also produced a number of early homoerotic 8 mm films with titles such as Cowboy Washup and Big Gun for Hire.
Bellas was known to travel around the country, finding new models to photograph and also personally delivering nude photographs to customers, since they were liable to be seized by postal inspectors if sent through the mail.
An extensive archive of Bellas' nude male physique...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Other
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Bruce of Los Angeles Vintage Original Male Physique Photograph of Carl Venus
By Bruce of Los Angeles, Bruce Bellas
Located in Palm Springs, CA
From an important 25 plus year collection of male physique and beefcake, printed in the 1960s, signed by the studio when Mr. Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of LA...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Other
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
More Ways To Browse
Pricing Vintage Photos
Venice 1950s
1950s Televisions
1950s Tv
Adult Photo
Vintage Television Sets
1950s Vintage Television
Vintage Prints Of Venice
Male Nudes Mid Century
Joan Crawford
Vintage Television Sets 1960s
Young Child Nude
Vintage Adult Magazines
Bill Ernst
Male Beefcake Photos
Vintage Sascha Brastoff
John Barrymore
Vintage Superman