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| Edwin F. Townsend At the cusp between "Strongman" and "Beefcake" photography stands Edwin F. Townsend as the preeminent physique photographer of the 1920s and '30s. Coming from the world of fashion and theatrical photography, Townsend's dreamy grace and light set him apart from his predecessors and paved the way for the new male esthetic that would be celebrated by the likes of Lynes, Urban and Forbes. As David Chapman comments in the introduction to Adonis: The Male Physique Pin-Up 1870 to 1940, "a classical Greek serenity pervades the work...drawing upon images of a Classical and contemplative Elysium of the soul." A New York photographer, Townsend worked first with Sigmund Klein in the 1920s and graduated to his favorite model Tony Sansone. To learn more, please see the "Collector's Notes" below. Learn more about Townsend, Sansone and early male nude photography by visiting other sites, reading book reviews and purchasing titles of interest from our Links & Books page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Tony Sansone, a native New York actor and dancer, was considered to be the perfect male physique of the 1920s and '30s. In his later years he owned several gymnasiums in the New York City area. Immortalized in two small but renowned books of photography, Modern Classics (1932) and Rhythm (1935), he was described by Arthur Lee as "a man finer in form than any Greek statue, and whose proportion is as rare and rhythmic as his form.... Tony Sansone is the thrill and despair of genuine artists." |  |
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"Tony Sansone"
circa 1920s Edwin Townsend 7½x9½ borderless matte finish Sorry, this item is not available |
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"Tony Sansone with
Arm Outstretched" circa 1920s, not available Edwin Townsend 7½x9½ borderless matte finish Sorry, this item is not available |
"Tony Sansone with
Hand on Forehead" circa 1920s Edwin Townsend 7½x9½ borderless matte finish Sorry, this item is not available |
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"Dr. Milton Traeger" circa 1920s, $450 Edwin Townsend 7½x9½ borderless matte finish signed by photographer & model with inscribed dedication by model: -To- Harry & Florence May you find life to your liking Your Cousin Milton Traeger |
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Townsend did not always sign his photographs, but when he did it was usually in red ink and in the idiosyncratic style seen here.
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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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