Rarely have I seen someone’s post and been so moved. Several sites have these exact same photos so it is impossible to give credit to the original writer and compiler of photos. This is the site I found it on while looking up info on one of the ladies featured, Gloria Talbott. I had seen Gloria in a wonderful Rock Hudson movie, ‘All that Heaven Allows‘ (1955). She played Jane Wyman’s college age daughter in the film and I had noticed how well she wore a sweater. It turns out there’s a whole genre of fine sweater wearers from the 40s and 50s! They call them “sweater girls” and the magnificent bra they wear the “bullet” bra. Simply put one of the finest inventions of the 20th century.

Yes, yes you have the sexual titillation aspect of these photos, but my gawd there are two other outstanding aspects of these photos: the obvious physical fitness of most of the models with their thin waistlines, and the artistic beauty created by the sharp and pleasing lines contrasted with the curves. And frankly the pride that shows on the face of every model. Simply beautiful. My only regret is that I didn’t live during that period. The only other period that comes close to this era, was that roughly 10 year period from 1966 – 1976, the era of the mini skirt and other fashion items of the day like the bell-bottom blue jeans, short-shorts and the halter top.

I have purposely left out many photos so the admirer can search out and discover new joys of this type. I have left out the celebs of the day like Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russel, Jayne Mansfield, Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor and other well knowns. These are for the most part average (?) women of the day, if you can possibly refer to such incredible women as “average”. And yes this will no doubt engender a few hits to my humble site, but mostly this is just to share one of the most absolutely beautiful collection of photos I have ever seen. My only regret is that these unknown women cannot be thanked for their contribution to the world of art.

A few thoughts. A photographer signature I saw several times was of a Ray Barret I believe. The 4th photo from the bottom is actress Dorothy Malone, right above her is Gloria Talbott. The rest of the stupendous photos were of I assume anonymous treasures, long since gone. Traditional artists could never create anything as beautiful as these women. The photographers for the most part did a wonderful job. I can’t imagine what it must have been like back in the day. The top photo is just an amazing image from any perspective.  As I said earlier the pride on each their faces is so neat to see. And the effort it took to look like that. Little did they know men would be appreciating them 60, 70 and 80 years later. These simple B&W images. God outdid Himself with this bunch. Engineering marvels.