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Don Whitman Western Photography GuildDON WHITMAN Vintage 1948 SERIES #6 Complete 12 Photos WESTERN PHOTOGRAPHY GUILD1948
1948
$1,920
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£1,456.85
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€1,665.78
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About the Item
COLD WINTER SPECIAL...Don Whitman of Western Photography Guild original vintage 1948 set of 12 photographs - the complete Series #6, stamped and numbered on verso. There are 12 different photographs of 12 spectacular models in studio and iconic outdoor natural settings. The original Western Photography Guild order sheet is included - see accompanying images. The order sheet lists the names of the models, their age, height and weight, occupation, ex-military service, and sports.
The Guild address appears as Denver 1, Colorado which places the order before postal zip codes were introduced in 1963. However, in researching the models and their ages, Pat Burnham in photo #1 and #2 was born in Denver on February 2, 1930. He is 18 when this photo was taken so the series is documented circa 1948. This is a remarkable very early set superior "Beefcake" photographs complete and in excellent condition.
Photographer Don Whitman (1917-1998) established Western Photography Guild, a physique photography studio, in Denver, Colorado in 1947. Specializing in male physique photography and becoming a master of outdoor photography with the Colorado landscape as a natural backdrop, Don and his Western Photography Guild remained active for the next 50 years.
Don found much success in the 1950s as interest in physique photography grew and he established his place alongside Bruce Bellas (Bruce of LA) and Douglas Julleff (Doug of Detroit) the best in the "beefcake" photography world. All three photographer are now recognized for the sophistication, artistic and technical expertise they brought to an important, then underground, art form and for their enormous contributions to the advancement of mid-20th Century gay liberation.
These are vintage black and white original gelatin silver prints circa 1948, stamped on the verso in blue ink "Western Photography Guild Box 2801 Denver Colo" with "Series 6" and the photograph number. Photographs are printed on double weight photographic paper with a high quality low luster premium finish. They measure 4" x 5" inches which includes a standard 3/16 inch white boarder. Severn of the photographs have been trimmed to have a 1/16 inch white boarder. All 12 photographs were together in a storage box with the original order sheet. They were previously owned by the late award winning Broadway and Hollywood costume designer Noel Taylor.
- Creator:Don Whitman Western Photography Guild (1917 - 1998, American)
- Creation Year:1948
- 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:Number 6 is slightly damaged, corner crease and 1/4 tear on the right side however, the image is not effected.
- Gallery Location:Glenford, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: Western Photography Guild 1949 Series 61stDibs: LU2458215216682
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