Danny-Darko

Soldier ‘Medicals’ during WW2

1. Stephen Spender and his boyfriend Franz Büchner in 1929. London-born poet, essayist and novelist Stephen Spender (1909-1995) delayed publication of his excellent first novel, The Temple, for fifty-nine years – until 1988, when he was seventy-nine years old. The male protagonist has same-sex encounters in pre-War Germany. In Spender’s real life experience, which included living in Germany, he had a series of affairs with men, after which he married twice and took about renouncing his gay past. 2. Stephen Spender, with Winston Auden and Christopher isherwood, on holiday, Fire Island 1947.

An unusual photograph from a late 19th century American Military Academy. Some of the young men appear stiff and formal, some are relaxed and intimate with each other.

Luftwaffe lovers - Germany WW2 Recruited with no choice but to serve, they too suffered a horrible fate if discovered! Sad irony.

Soldier lovers ww2

Photographer James Van Der Zee (1886 - 1983) was an African-American photographer best known for his portraits of black New Yorkers. He was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Members of UNITY, a Athletic and Social Club, in New York

The New York Renaissance, also known as the Harlem Renaissance Big Five or the Rens, was an all-Black professional basketball team founded in 1923 by Robert “Bob” Douglas, a few years before the Harlem Globetrotters. Photography by James van der Zee

A photograph of a naked Tennessee Williams in the late 1940′s. Cruising was a pastime dear to his heart. Who can blame him, especially when you are young and successful.

Tennessee Williams, with his lover from the mid 1940s Mexican American Pancho Rodriguez. Pancho was ten years younger than TW.

Tennessee Williams, with his lover, Frank Merlo - 1950s

Gay couple in the photographic studio ca. 1900

Gay couple in Paris, in the 1880s. Taken from a set of pictures, this shows the couple prior to other pictures that would be prohibited. (I hope to come across those other photos of them!)

Buzz and Tommy (1949) Photo, with dedication written on reverse side. (Probably a repost but always charming to see again. Few people scroll back)

THE RENT BOYS OF PARESIS HALL, NEW YORK CITY IN THE 1890s The top picture shows the various ‘Renters’ (Sex Workers) in a group photograph. The tangle of implements, I suppose, are designed to give them an air of respectability. The pictures of individual boys are the calling cards to give to clients. The final picture shows Paresis or Columbia Hall in recent years. The Hall served as a all male brothel and gay bar for some years. Due to it’s ever increasing popularity it was closed down by the city authorities.

Ruppert, a pimp in Paris in 1900. He would usually be on the look-out for men for his clients, the boys of Paris’s male brothels.

114 rue d’Aboukir in the 2eme arrondissement of Paris, in 1895, was a male brothel. These two young Parisians prostitutes, were at risk of being beleaguered by the perils of Absinthe drinking, that could lead to euphoria, addiction, depression and madness. They look like they are smartly dressed to attract rich gentleman clients.

Handsome Sailor of the U.S. Navy - early 20th century

German Athlete - Early 20th Century

Early 20th century picture postcard for discerning gentlemen.

Couple of young men from the 1910/20s - Maybe close friends, maybe more?

German Couple WW2

Affectionate couple

Rugby Player Cameron

Lovers Cary Grant and Randolph Scott - 1930′s

A young Randolph Scott and Cary Grant