Showcasing vintage male photography, mostly nude. You must be 18 years of age or older to visit this blog! If you hold a copyright on any material shown on this blog, notify me, and it will be removed immediately.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
Courtny
My source said this photo of Hank Baker is by an obscure studio called Courtny.
I can't seem to find any information about them. Anyone?
This lengthy entry is from the Online Archive of California—ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archive: Courtny Studios undated Historical Note - Photographer John Palatinus operated two studios from 1954 to 1959. Under a studio bearing his own name, he produced physique photographs of muscular male models in posing straps, with many of these photographs published in magazines of the day including Tomorrow's Man, Trim, Adonis, Vim, Manual and many others. He also produced nude photographs of his models, which were sold concurrently with his posing strap photos through a studio called Courtny. On January 29, 1959, Palatinus and a fellow photographer, as well as the employees of the photography lab that processed his photographs, were arrested by New York police and postal inspectors, effectively putting an end to Palatinus' photography career. Following his arrest and conviction on pornography charges, Palatinus withdrew from photography and turned to ballet and dance theater. In 2009, a friend directed Palatinus to a post on the Vintage Male Physique internet blog, in which the author wondered if Palatinus was still alive. Palatinus contacted the blog's author and this ultimately led to a gallery tour of Palatinus' vintage work that toured art galleries in Paris, Antwerp, Berlin, Oslo and finally Palatinus' recent homebase in Palm Springs. John Palatinus died of a heart attack on September 22, 2014 at the age of 85. Source: Article on Palatinus by Will Dean, Desert Sun, 2011 (excerpted on TimInVermont.com) Scope and Content - Images include the following models: Chuck Massey, Ken Martin, Billy Cooper, Woody Reigs, Russ Allen, Walt Fraizer, Danny Mills, Hank Baker, Dick Nelson, Matt Carroll, Mike Turner, Herb Taylor, John Kehr, Billy Flynn, Jimmy Dunn, John Kehr, Tony Rocco, Tex Landon ("Tex" Landon).
Some of them were more careful. At one point Pat Milo was doing tours and selling photos in person without using the Postal Service. While some states had obscenity laws, most convictions were based on sending material through the mail.
What a thick bush! I'd love to bury my nose in it!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis lengthy entry is from the Online Archive of California—ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archive:
ReplyDeleteCourtny Studios undated
Historical Note - Photographer John Palatinus operated two studios from 1954 to 1959. Under a studio bearing his own name, he produced physique photographs of muscular male models in posing straps, with many of these photographs published in magazines of the day including Tomorrow's Man, Trim, Adonis, Vim, Manual and many others. He also produced nude photographs of his models, which were sold concurrently with his posing strap photos through a studio called Courtny. On January 29, 1959, Palatinus and a fellow photographer, as well as the employees of the photography lab that processed his photographs, were arrested by New York police and postal inspectors, effectively putting an end to Palatinus' photography career. Following his arrest and conviction on pornography charges, Palatinus withdrew from photography and turned to ballet and dance theater. In 2009, a friend directed Palatinus to a post on the Vintage Male Physique internet blog, in which the author wondered if Palatinus was still alive. Palatinus contacted the blog's author and this ultimately led to a gallery tour of Palatinus' vintage work that toured art galleries in Paris, Antwerp, Berlin, Oslo and finally Palatinus' recent homebase in Palm Springs. John Palatinus died of a heart attack on September 22, 2014 at the age of 85. Source: Article on Palatinus by Will Dean, Desert Sun, 2011 (excerpted on TimInVermont.com)
Scope and Content - Images include the following models: Chuck Massey, Ken Martin, Billy Cooper, Woody Reigs, Russ Allen, Walt Fraizer, Danny Mills, Hank Baker, Dick Nelson, Matt Carroll, Mike Turner, Herb Taylor, John Kehr, Billy Flynn, Jimmy Dunn, John Kehr, Tony Rocco, Tex Landon ("Tex" Landon).
Fascinating information. Thank you!
DeleteAfter the hells Ko’Vert, Juleff, Lon and Frisby were put through, you think others would have been more careful….:\
ReplyDeleteSome of them were more careful. At one point Pat Milo was doing tours and selling photos in person without using the Postal Service. While some states had obscenity laws, most convictions were based on sending material through the mail.
Delete