Bettie's Pages

I haven't been able to get on a good posting click during the new year. So, I figured why not at least throw something up that I know all you lovers of vintage sexy time will appreciate. And what better else than Bettie Page?

And more to come. Very soon...

Because it's Bettie, that's why.

Bettie Page cover "BOLD GIRLS!" There's not a whole lot to say about this except that it has a Bettie cover and that's why I bought it. Bettie, nuff said.

I have plans to scan some really fun items from our collection but recently I've been too preoccupied. I'm working on a non-fiction book that is a popular cultural survey of "swingers" (mostly in the 60's). The popular cultural items include vintage sleaze paperbacks (of course!), vintage sexploitation movie posters, and more. I'm also writing a significant amount of text to accompany the images and put them in context.

What can I say? It's fun to read and write about sex! I sound like such a geek...which I am.

Elvgren Model Photo for "Weighty Problem" (Aka "Starting at the Bottom")

Elvgren Model Photo for "Weighty Problem" (Aka "Starting at the Bottom"). 1962. Unknown model.

For the Love of Enoch Bolles IV

Can I ever get enough Bolles? Answer: No.

For the Love of Enoch Bolles III

Good yawning to you!

For the Love of Peter Driben

Peter Driben is known more for coy pin-ups than he is for bondaged damsels in distress. His paintings for publications such as "Titter," "Beauty Parade," "Whisper," and "Flirt" are legendary in the pin-up world. I'll present many of the coy pieces from those mags but also wanted to showcase Driben doing harder, pulpier stuff. He did a few paperback covers in that vein and a few mags like this one. Enjoy!

Elvgren Original Studio Photos from "A Shady Trick" (1953)

Elvgren Original Studio Photos from "A Shady Trick" (1953). It's interesting to compare the photos, since different models are posing for the same painting. The model with the shorter hair is Elvgren regular Myrna Hansen, who was Miss USA 1953. She was also a bit part TV and movie actress who appeared in shows like "Green Acres" and movies such as "Magnificent Obsession." I don't know the identity of the long-haired model. Anyone?

For the Love of Enoch Bolles II

Just showing him some more love. : - )

Gil Elvgren Model Reference Photo-- "Lucky Dog" aka "Dog Gone Robber" (1958)

Gil Elvgren Model Reference Photo-- "Lucky Dog" aka "Dog Gone Robber" (1958). I've featured these Gil Elvgren model reference photos in the past, and here's another one. More to come in the future. This photo is interesting, because it shows a variety of poses. Not sure who the model was for this one.

For the Love of Enoch Bolles

That's it. All there is to this post is showing some love for Enoch Bolles. You're dead, so you can't read this, but you rock. More installments to come.

Elvgren Original Studio Photos Part III

A few more Elvgren studio photos. More to come in the future. Model identities unknown. The woman with the fur is called "Purrrrrr-fect aka Corinne"(date unknown, 60's). The artist pinup is called "The Right Touch" (1958). That's Elvgren's original paint all over "Corinne."

Original Gil Elvgren Studio Pin-Up Reference Photos

In the world of "pin-up," the most celebrated artist is arguably Gil Elvgren, master illustrator often called the Norman Rockwell of Pin-Up Artists. His paintings were much more thematic than the muted, airbrushed world of the Vargas pin-up. While the Vargas pin-ups were usually painted on a single-color background with few to no "props," the Elvgren pin-ups were full of bright colors with more action elements including strategically props with which the pin-ups interacted. They pop with life and, although there is no denying that Vargas was also a great artist, the Elvgren pin-ups are more evocative of the era in which they were painted.

What I've posted here is two examples of original Elvgren studio pin-up photographs from our collection. Elvgren photographed his models in his studio, and then painted from the reference pictures, admittedly idealizing the actual features of the models. Elvgren did not like to paint from life and preferred these still photos for reference, perhaps because he did not want to get too "stuck" on what the model really looked like. These photos were purchased from the collection of Elvgren apprentice pin-up painter Donald "Rusty" Rust. What's splendid about them is that they retain so much character. Many of the photos we obtained still have tape from being adhered to Elvgren's easel and some even have splotches of his paint. The identity of the models shown here is not known, but prominent Elvgren models included Arlene Dahl, Myrna Loy, Myrna Hansen, Donna Reed, Kim Novak, and Barbara Hale. The witch painting is titled "Riding High" (1959) and the bannister painting is titled "Look Out Below" (1956).

Glamour Photography, Girl Watcher

Shown are two kitschy 50's era men's magazines. The saucy looks on "Girl Watcher" continually freak me out. Not to mention the lecherous cartoon eyes.