Lon of New York
Alonzo "Lon" Hanagan, was a New Yorker and his models reflected the difference. His bodybuilders were mostly of Mediterranean, Latino and African American descent —strong visual contrast to the sunny-Californian and corn-fed Midwestern models of other studios. Lon began his career as a contemporary of George Platt Lynes, and several times over the many decades that his career spanned, he was arrested and had his negatives and photographs destroyed by the police. Though he returned to photography after each bout with the law, he grew more cautious over time about mass-producing or signing his work. Lon himself, and several of his models, were present at the opening of a solo exhibition of his photographs in New York, only months before he passed away in December 1999. For more information, please see the "Collector's Notes" below. You can also learn more about Lon of New York and Beefcake-era photography by visiting other sites, reading book reviews and purchasing titles of interest from our Links & Books page.
Lon_Grimick Lon_Grimick06_11X14 With a career that spanned five decades, the "Monarch of Muscledom" John GRIMEK is thought to be the most respected and honored bodybuilder in history. He was the only two-time Mr. America (1940 and '41), as well as United States Olympic weight lifting champion in Berlin 1936, Mr. Universe 1948, Mr. USA 1949. He retired the only bodybuilder in history never to have been defeated in a contest. Photo at far left was the April 1943 cover for Strength & Health.

"John Grimek -
Strength & Health 1943"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1943, $4000
Rare format: 11x14" black & white

"John Grimek -
Monarch of Muscledom"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1941, $4000
Rare format: 11x14" sepia
Lon_MarvinEder04
Bill Cerdas (standing) held both titles of
Mr. New York State (1950) and Mr. New York City.
Close inspection of Willie Gonzalez (seated) reveals
that he was really excited to be photographed with Cerdas.
Lon_CerdasNGonzalez
Marvin Eder (left) placed as a finalist in Junior Mr. America 1949, as well as Mr. America 1950 and 1951. Many feel his career would have gone much further had his amateur status not been contested.
"Marvin Eder"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
circa 1950, $1900
8X10" black & white

"Bill Cerdas & Willie Gonzalez"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1953, $1900
8x10" sepia
Lon_Rocco05_11X14 Lon_Cassamassa02 Lon_DeMaria

"Jerry Rocco"
Lon of New York
 (Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1948, 11x14" sepia
Sorry, this photograph has sold.

"Lou (Erman) Cassamassa"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1950, $750
4x9" black & white
from Lon's personal scrapbook

 "George DeMaria"
Mr. New England 1946
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1946, $1500
8x10" black & white

"Sal Severino"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
circa 1950, $1500
8x10" black & white

"Everett Sinderoff"
Jr. Mr. America 1946
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1948, $950
5x7" black & white
"Raul Pacheco with Column"
circa 1950, $950
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
4½X9¼ Sepia-tone glossy
from Lon's personal scrapbook
Pacheco was one of Lon's favorite and most popular models.

"Joshua Joshua"
Lon of New York
(Alonzo Hanagan)
Circa 1948, $1900
6½ x13" matte finish
from Lon's personal scrapbook

Collectors Notes:
Lon did not often sign or stamp his work, but when he did his signature usually looked something like it does below left. An example of his stamp is below right.
Click here to see the complete list of Collector's Notes or return to the top of the page.
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.

Bruce
Douglas
Kris
Kovert
And Check out the other beefcake items
that we currently have for auction
@ this week's items on eBay

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