Vintage Muscle Men

Friday, May 8, 2026

Ten by Lesser Known Photographers

Although you have probably heard of some of them, the ten photographers I'm featuring today are among the lesser known of the classic physique era. There is a dearth of work by most of them,

and I don't even have enough of some to give them their own series. We begin with the always impressive Bill Hillgardner in an outdoor photo by Lou Melancon.

Joseph Hanson by Gebbe

Gebbe, aka Richard Gebhardt, was a mentor for Lon of New York.

The photo above is from 1930 and features Joseph Hanson.

Lee Yarusi by Al McDuffie

Al McDuffie took this photo of Lee Yarusi under the Acme brand.

Jack Cole by Maurice Seymour

Instead of the usual bodybuilder, we get a dancer in this 1930 photo of Jack Cole

by Maurice Seymour, aka brothers Maurice and Seymour Zeldman.

Gary Bordman by James B. Hills

Going really obscure with this one. The photo above of Gary Bordman by James B. Hills (sometimes the middle initial initial is given as E.) is one of only three I've been able to find by this photographer. And one of the other two is the extended version below which was used as a centerfold.

Richard Sorkorum by Dominique

There are some unflattering stories about the photographer Dominique,

but this picture of Richard Sorkorum is quite impressive.

Monte Walton by All American Studio

With a name like All American Studio, you'd think this outfit would be better known.

This photo of Monte Walton is one of about two dozen images by them that I could find.

Ralph Bernard by Avery Willard

Although I could do without the busy diamond backdrop,

I do like this Avery Willard shot of Ralph Bernard.

Phil Campesi by John Hernec

I have previously posted two other photos of Phil Campesi from the same session by John Hernec.

Work by this photographer is very hard to find, and my collection is quite small.

Jim Smith by Rip Searby

Our concluding image is a Rip Searby photo of Jim Smith. There's a story Jim French's trade name before he became Colt Studio, Rip Colt, was an homage to Rip Searby.

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Locker Room Day

Let's spend some time in our favorite part of the sporting world, the locker room where men get naked and wet. We start with some burlies in one of those British gang tubs.

1977

These guys are supposed to be Australians from 1977.

Show me where it hurts

The team doctor told this guy to show him where it hurts,

and it looks like referral to a dentist may be on the way.

More Ruggers

Here we have some English rugby players. I have to rate rugby players

as the athletes most likely to pose nude . . . by far.

USMC

This is supposed to have been taken on the sneak in a U.S. Marine Corps locker room

in the 1980s. Based on those haircuts, I'd say there's a fair chance that is true.

Roy Campanella

Above and below, Roy Campanella of the Brooklyn Dodgers,

one of the greatest catchers in the history of baseball.

Brooklyn Dodgers

The best part of this Brooklyn Dodgers locker room is at upper right.

Cropped and enlarged below:

Peter Layden

George Strock took this photo of Peter Layden, and allstar player

for my alma mater, The University of Texas Longhorns.

Five in the shower

Our second shower photo today features five men who look like British footballers. The showers may look primitive, but they're a step up from those gang tubs. On the other hand, I think quite a few of you viewers wouldn't mind being squeezed into a bathtub with half a dozen other naked guys.