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| Al Urban The word "meticulous" is often used to describe both Al Urban the man and his art. One of the greatest technicians of early male photography, Urban produced images so crisp that one can count the hairs under the model's arm—so well lit that the deepest shadows are alive with sensuous detail. Yet, as with most great talents, his gift was also his curse. His meticulous nature so limited his studio work that models and publishers lost patience and colleagues remarked at how few images he produced from each sitting. Yet Urban was recognized as a master, and from the 1930s through the '50s, he was a commercial photographer for New York's finest stores and was a celebrated contributor to the physique magazines. The May 1941 issue of Strength & Health notes that he had been a weightlifter himself who, "started photography as a hobby when he noticed that many barbell men were not getting the photographs their physiques merited. After much trail and error he evolved a technique that carried him to fame as a portrayer of the masculine physique at its best." See further Collector's Notes below. You may also visit other sites, read book reviews and purchase books from our Links & Books page. |
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| "John Farbotnik - Rodin's Adam" Mr. Chicago 1946 Mr. America & Mr. World 1950 Al Urban Circa 1947, $2500 7½x9½" borderless black & white glossy |
"Fred DeGroot - Master with Slave" circa 1930, $1250 Al Urban 4½X6½" sepiatoned glossy |
"Seated Model Embracing Knee" Al Urban Circa 1945, $2500 7½x9½" borderless black & white glossy |
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| "David Asnis" Al Urban Circa 1937, $2500 7½x9½" borderless black & white glossy |
"Vin DeMarco" Al Urban Circa 1945, $1900 7½x9½" borderless black & white glossy |
"John Gallagher" (featuredStrength & Health cover April 1945) Al Urban Circa 1945, $2500 7½x9½" borderless black & white glossy |
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| "Dan Lurie reclining" Al Urban circa 1935 Al Urban Sorry, this item has sold. |
"Jules Bacon" Mr. America 1943 Al Urban Circa 1945, $2500 7½x9½" black & white |
"Steve Wengryn" Al Urban Circa 1955, $1900 7½x9½" black & white |
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| Collectors Notes: | |||||||||||
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Al Urban did not often sign his work, but when he did he would sign it on the front in white ink for dark backgrounds, as seen at left, or visa versa. | ||||||||||
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However, sometimes an original print can be identified by Urban's handwritting on the back. Now and again Urban would note the model's name and picture number on the reverse in wax pencil, as seen below.
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| Click here to see the complete list of Collector's Notes or return to the top of the page. | |||||||||||
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| To Purchase An Item: If you are interested in purchasing any of the above photographs, please contact us at theguys@bigkugels.com. Refer to the item name in the subject header of your e-mail and state in the body of the message that you are of legal age and residence to purchase adult items. Please remember that these are one-of-a-kind items and will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. |
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And check out the other Early Male Nudes
that we currently have for auction |
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