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Friday, April 25, 2025

PaJaMa, Part 1 - Photos


We have a two part series today on the PaJaMa Collective.  Part one is photos by the group, and we start with a poor quality image from a group of pictures donated by Margaret Hoening French to the Smithsonian.  (Speaking of Ms. French, we will be seeing more of her and her work than usual today.)  These have been described as Jared French "photo sketches" because they were done in a format similar to contact sheets to save developing costs.  You'll see this model again later today.  

 

Todd Bolender


Provincetown was the setting for this 1947 PaJaMa photo 
of ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer Todd Bolender.

 

Margaret Hoening French Photo

You may recognize the model in this photo as John Butler.  He appeared in a number 
of photo studies by Jared French, some of which I have posted.  This picture, however, 
has been attributed by a reliable curator to his wife Margaret Hoening French.  
I'm inclined to agree, even though the doorway setting is very similar
 to what we've seen before.  The difference is the lighting, which is 
quite unlike the others, and the style of the pose

 

George and Monroe


Here we have a PaJaMa photo of George Platt Lynes and his on again, off again lover Monroe Wheeler.  In a parallel to PaJaMa, these two were also involved with Glenway Wescott at the same time.

 

Photo Sketch II


As promised, here is the other side of the Jared French model shown earlier.

 

Jared and the Lighthouse


Jared French is undoubtedly the 20th Century artist photographed nude more than any other.
Most of those pictures, including this one, are attributed to his wife Margaret Hoening.
The setting is Fire Island with the lighthouse in the background.

 

PaJaMa, Part 2 - Art


Part two of PaJaMa day features art works by the members.  
This damaged and undated piece is by Paul Cadmus.

 

Jared French I - Untitled


This Jared French drawing is typical of the work he was doing around 1950.
The square shouldered look appears again and again in that period.

 

Paul Cadmus II - Margaret Hoening French


I find this Paul Cadmus drawing of his lover's wife,
 Margaret Hoening French, to be quite good.



 

Margaret Hoening French - The Juggler


This is The Juggler by Margaret Hoening French, and to me, it symbolizes here life in the very unique love triangle the was PaJaMa.  We see a woman, juggling fire while walking a tightrope, being observed by three men.  One of the men resembles George Platt Lynes, and the other two could easily be Jared French and Paul Cadmus.  Even the dog had a place in their lives.  Pure genius!



 

Jared French II - The Boxer


Jared French's notes on this rough drawing of a boxer are interesting.  For those
 of you who use translators or who can't make out the words, they say:
"Boxer's stance - a defensive stance, ready to double-up for protection"

 

Paul Cadmus III


The hair style makes me think that this Paul Cadmus drawing was made long after PaJaMa 
was no more.  I included it anyway because it show his talent for lighting and shading.

 

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Recent Acquisitions

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Tim Hogan

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Jack Virgil


This Pat Milo photo of Jack Virgil was in an online estate sale a couple of months ago.

 

Kid Pomer


Jean Ferrero photographed Kid Pomer wearing a jaunty hat.

 

Bert Callinder . . . with a little help from my friends


A few weeks ago I posted a photo of Bert Callinder and lamented the lack of derriere shots of this fine model.  Well, with a little help from my friends, I got some "new" images of him.  Cambria provided the BobCo (Bob Carr) studio shot above, and Brian E. sent me the group shot from behind below.  That's Bert on the left and one of the other guys is Jimmy Smith.  This may be a Wyngate & Bevins "nudist" photo, in which case the photographer could have been Bob Mizer of AMG.


 

Anthony Giordano


Someone wrote the model's name (possibly misspelled) 
on this Spectrum Studio photo of Anthony Giordano.

 

Johnny Orchid


Ralph Kelly took this photo of smiling Johnny Orchid,
who looks like he might have been a contortionist.



 

Jeri Ross


This is Jeri Ross by Frank Collier.

 

Frank Nisi


As best as I can tell, Frank Nisi did a single photo shoot with Bruce of LA.
Somehow I didn't manage to find this picture when I acquired the others.

 

Bill Hooper


Although I already had a few photos of Bill Hooper by Douglas of Detroit,
I like the pose and lighting better in this recent acquisition.

 

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Australian Nudists Day, Part 1 - Assorted


Today we have a two parter on Australian nudist men.  Part one is assorted, and part two features bears.  Some body told this guy to turn his best side to the camera, and this is what we got.

 

Smirk


We get a smirk from this fellow.

 

Picnic Fun


Here we have some average guys enjoying some naked beer.

 

Beach Walk


This fellow is out for a beach walk.



 

Bowling


This guy looks much more athletic than any of the bowlers I've known.



 

Aussie Nudist Day, Part 2 - The Bears


Part two of Aussie Nudist Day features bearish men,
starting with this guy on a beach.

 

Bear in the shade


This Aussie bear is wearing shades in the shade.

 

Pool Fun


There's no money shot here, but I love these two 
ursines having fun in the pool.  Happy times.

 

Tug of War


Although on the lighter side for a bear, this Aussie is giving the tug of war all he's got.

 

Frisbee Prize


Our last Australian nudist bear won a frisbee contest,
and of course the prize was a new frisbee.