Sherwood Cartee Photographed by the Western Photography Guild

The Western Photography Guild took this photograph of Sherwood Cartee.

Bob Jackson and Darryl Johnson Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

The Athletic Model Guild took this photograph of Bob Jackson and Darryl Johnson.

Bob Cutlass Photographed by Ralph Kelly

I was happy to stumble upon this photograph of Bob Cutlass taken by Ralph Kelly.

Alan Green Photographed by the Western Photography Guild

Already on this blog is a smaller version of this photograph of Alan Green taken by the Western Photography Guild.

Billy Stewart Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph of Billy Stewart taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Nick Nanet Photographed by Jean Ferrero

Jean Ferrero took this photograph of Nick Nanet.

Paul Labriola and Johnny Longo Photographed by the Western Photography Guild

The Western Photography Guild took this photograph of Paul Labriola posing with Johnny Longo.

Dale Curry Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

The Athletic Model Guild took this photograph of Dale Curry.

Everett Lee Jackson Photographed by Pat Milo

Pat Milo took these photographs of Everett Lee Jackson.

Joe Godino and Steve Wengryn Photographed by Lon

Lon took these photographs of Joe Godino posing with Steve Wengryn. 

Bob Odom and Hank Hurlbut Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph taken by the Athletic Model Guild of blond Bob Odom posing with Hank Hurlbut.

Jim Pappa and Carl Schiedow Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Bruce of Los Angeles took this photograph of Jim Pappa welding a sword over Carl Schiedow.

When you jump to this post on the blog, you can see another image from this series–and read a bit about Pappa's life outside of bodybuilding. His first wife stood trial for murder.

Louis Abele Photographed by Al Urban

Already on this blog is a slightly different version of this photograph of Louis Abele taken by Al Urban.

Angelo Noto and Joe Ciulla Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

Already on this blog is a smaller version of this photograph of Angelo Noto and Joe Ciulla taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Steve Lewis and Richard Saley Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Bruce of Los Angeles took this photograph of Steve Lewis and Richard Saley.

Carter Lovisone Photographed by the Western Photography Guild

The Western Photography Guild took this photograph of Carter Lovisone.

Bob Sheck Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild.

The Athletic Model Guild took this photograph of Bob Sheck.

Steve Reeves

I don't know who took this photograph of Steve Reeves, who apparently dedicated this image to "Renald," who he notes was a great hand balancer.

Renald could be the one found on this blog only by his first name. He performed a hand-balancing act with Rudy.

In the near future, I'll post photographs of the duo in action.

Bob Riley Photographed by Russ Warner

Russ Warner took this photograph of Bob Riley.

Steve Gooding Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I found in AMG: 1000 Model Directory another photograph from this series by Bob Mizer of Steve Gooding tied to a tree.

Glen Campbell Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Here's another photograph of Glen Campbell taken by Bruce of Los Angeles.

Charles Berendo Photographed by Russ Warner

I hope to find a larger version of this photograph of Charles Berendo taken by Russ Warner.

Lynn Lyman Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

Lynn Lyman photographed by AMG.

Last Thursday evening at The Magazine store in San Francisco, California, I was thrilled to attend the book premiere party for Taschen’s AMG: 1000 Model Directory, which is a large, two-volume box set that features photographs of 1,000 models taken in the mid-1940′s to the mid-1960′s by Bob Mizer at the Athletic Model Guild (AMG) in Los Angeles, California.

AMG 1000 Model Directory.

If you’re a fan of vintage beefcake, you likely know Bob Mizer nearly all by himself invented in the 1940′s the concept of male model. It was shocking in that era to celebrate men purely for their physical beauty. In fact, for the crime of taking photographs of men posing in bathing suits, Mizer spent several months in prison.

The Magazine store on Larkin Street, San Franciso, California.

Book premiere party at The Magazine on November 3, 2016.

Luckily for us, Mizer persisted, believing he and his fellow photographers had the artistic right in the United States to photograph adults any way they chose.

He passed away in 1992, having run continuously AMG for nearly 50 years. His estate was on the verge of being broken up and sold off, when photographer Dennis Bell purchased everything in 2003.

A few years later, Bell set up the non-profit Bob Mizer Foundation, with the purpose of archiving and preserving Mizer’s work along with that of other photographers for future generations.

Dennis Bell signing my copy of the book.

With Dian Hanson, who spent 3 years selecting the photographs.

In October, 2016, Trent Dunphy and Robert Mainardi, the owners of The Magazine, gifted their four-story building in downtown San Francisco to the Foundation, ensuring with their legacy a permanent home for the Foundation as well as for the two men’s massive collection of vintage beefcake photographs and magazines.

Robert Mainardi, Dennis Bell and Trent Dunphy.

Each purchase of a new copy of the AMG: 1000 Model Directory will directly benefit the Foundation.

Not only are these two volumes big, beautiful books featuring exquisite photographs of some of AMG's most popular and handsome models, they are also an astounding resource for fans of vintage beefcake, such as myself, to identify models and for studying the various settings, props and locations Mizer employed in creating his photographs.

Dennis Bell and Dian Hanson signed my copy.

When I purchased the book at the premiere party, I was given a copy of Mizer's saddle-stapled Thousand Model Directory, published in 1957, in which I found a postage stamp-sized version of the photo featured in this post of Lynn Lyman. I have confirmation, at last, that AMG took that photograph, which has sat for a very long time in my "unknown" pile.

Bruce Schorb Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Already on this blog is a smaller version of this photograph of Bruce Schorb taken by Bruce of Los Angeles.

Tom de Carlo

Already on this blog is a smaller version of this photograph of Tom de Carlo.

David Gregory Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph of David Gregory taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Unknown Model Photographed by Earle Forbes

Earle Forbes took this photograph of this unknown model.

George Parker Photographed by Russ Warner

Russ Warner took this photograph of George Parker.

A generous fan of this blog found online these three catalogs by Warner.

Unfortunately, Warner Model Guide 2 is rather blurry, but I did my best to identify the models in the photos.

In Warner Model Guide 1, the models are (top to bottom and left to right) Bob McCune, Al Galios, Hank Evans, Dave Aaron, Dick Fenley, Everett Van Loo, Tom Carlson, Ed Madrigal, Tony Simms, Louis Venegas, Frank Stagg, Johnny Holden, Neel Bate, Roy Englehardt, John Smith, Jack LaLanne, Don Martin, Russ Warner, John Meeker, Jim Jacobs, Dick Riner, Michiro Mizutari, Don Lofvenborg, Jim Warren, Bob Rily, Jim Conrad, Tom Reese, Dick Woodward, Joe Phillips, Bob Morrie, Ray Rutledge, Lowell Hanon, Ken Dockter, Mike Zurio, Avent Smith and Ed Siemens.

In Warner Model Guide 2, the models are Jack Thomas, Joe Norton, Jack Cole, Jim Smith, Armand Girroux, Rudy PetSOMETHING, Charles Berendo, Bud Bapst, Norman Tousley, Gus Ramero, Bob Johnson, Art SOMETHING, Roland SOMETHING, Jerry Riskin, Ray Vega, Wallace Howard, Ray Harper, Sam Dale, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, George Parker, Bill Logan, John SOMETHING, Herb SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING Williams, Ralph Santiago, Ray Liedtke, Frank SOMETHING, Tom Washer, Tony Spragio, Sonny Kent and Roy Hilligen.

Based on how their names appear elsewhere in print, I've standardized the spelling of a few models' names.

I recognize in these guides the faces of a few models listed on this blog as "unknown models." I'll update those posts as I find time.

I encourage you to email me images or links to websites that clarify the partial names listed above.

Dennis Lavia Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph of Dennis Lavia taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Ed Lincoln Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Bruce of Los Angeles took this photograph of Ed Lincoln.

Leonard Chambers Photographed by Kovert of Hollywood

Kovert of Hollywood took this sumptuous photograph of Leonard Chambers.

Don Diego Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph of Don Diego taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Gary Tempest Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

After reviewing a copy of Bruce of Los Angeles' magazine, The Male Figure, featuring Gary Tempest, I have updated the blog throughout to spell his name as seen here.

Joel Martin Photographed by Champion Studio

Champion Studio took this photograph of Joel Martin.

Emil Swoboda Photographed by the Athletic Model Guild

I must thank a generous fan of this blog for this photograph of Emil Swoboda taken by the Athletic Model Guild.

Bob Gentry Photographed by Bruce of Los Angeles

Bruce of Los Angeles took this photograph of Bob Gentry.

Lance York Photographed by Champion Studio

Champion Studio took this photograph of Lance York.