Colt Studio photographs and other male erotica
Scope and Contents
The Colt Studio photographs and other male erotica contains homoerotic photographs and illustrations primarily produced by Colt Studio. Poses are of one, two, and three individuals at a time, nude or partially clothed. Topics of the poses include hypermasculine poses of involving leather, chains, police, firefighter, cowboy, sports, motorcycles, guns, and nature. The majority of images are black and white, with a few in color. Additionally, this collection contains a small selection of photographs from the Bruce of Los Angeles studio as well as black and white narrative illustrations including illustrations by Target Studios and a 1980 narrative illustration of African American men by "The Hun" (Bill Schmeling).
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1975-1989
Creator
- Colt Studio (Photographer, Organization)
- Schmeling, Bill (Artist, Person)
- Target Studios (Artist, Organization)
- Bruce of Los Angeles (Photographer, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Access
The material is stored off site. Please request 3 working days in advance if you wish to use it.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is retained by the authors of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For photocopy and duplication requests, please contact the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, Michigan State University Libraries.
Biographical / Historical
Colt Studio was founded by photographer, film maker, and publisher Jim French (1932-2017) under the pseudonym of "Rip Colt" in 1967. French was formally trained at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art from 1950-1954. The images were offered as sets of mail-order prints primarily marketed towards the gay community. Colt Studios became one of the most successful, genre-defining studios in the field.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The photographs are arranged in original order as found in binders.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information is indeterminate. The collection was possibly donated by Chris Spencer in approximately 2015.
Processing Information
Lydia Tang processed this collection in 2018. Sources consulted in the creation of this finding aid include: Paul Gorman's "'Because It's So Damn Good!' Extracts From My Exclusive Interview with Pioneering Illustrator/Photographer Jim French, Who Has Died Aged 84." http://www.paulgormanis.com/?p=19850
Subject
- Colt Studio -- History (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Gay erotic comic books, strips, etc. -- United States -- Sources
- Gay erotic photography -- United States -- Sources
- Gay erotica -- United States -- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Gay erotica -- United States -- Photographs
- Gay men -- Sexual behavior -- United States -- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Gay men -- Sexual behavior -- United States -- Photographs
- Gay pornography -- United States -- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Gay pornography -- United States -- Photographs
- Sadomasochism -- United States -- Comic books, strips, etc.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Colt Studio photographs and other male erotica
- Status
- 4 Published And Cataloged
- Author
- Lydia Tang
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections Repository