MALE NUDE: JIM STRYKER: "BASKETBALL IN JOCKSTRAP" PHOTOGRAPHS BY WALTER KUNDZICZ

New York City, NY: Champion Studio, 1962. First Edition. First Printing.. Softcover. Fine/No Dust Jacket, As Issued.. New York City, NY: Champion Studio, 1962. Softcover. Fine/None, As Issued. First Edition/First Printing. 1 pages. Rare Jim Stryker and Walter Kundzicz/Champion Studios collectible set. A contemporary single-weight silver-gelatin photographic print of Jim Stryker, perhaps the single most good-looking male-nude model ever, as photographed in 1961 in the studio, in one of his most beautiful portraits. The print is contemporary, obtained directly from Walter Kundzicz. It was originally issued in 1961, but the original vintage prints were stolen and never recovered. It comes with a fine copy of The Young Physique Magazine Annual 1962 Issue, which features Jim Stryker on the Cover and reproduces the exact same photograph within (see scan). The print measures 3.5 X 5 inches and has white borders. It is encased in a protective plastic sheet. The photograph shows Jim Stryker holding a basketball, scantily and revealingly clad in a jockstrap, in dramatic studio lighting that beautifully captures his shadow. "Famous for quality color images of handsome, athletic young men from the late 1950's and early 1960's, these photographs of scantily clad athletes (packed with amusing props, costumes, and bulging posing pouches) are notable not only for the commercial success they enjoyed during their heyday but also for their enduring creativity and imagination. Kundzicz and his work left an indelible imprint on male physique photography. Today, nearly half a century later, Kundzicz's work and his most popular models continue to have their ardent fans" (Reed Massengill). Jim Stryker is the prototypical All-American male beauty. He anticipated by more than two decades the model/stars of the reigning American photographer of the male nude, Bruce Weber. In this particular photograph, which showcases his perfect profile, Jim's physique is fully developed and perfect. He was a lot slimmer - and also self-consciously shy - in his earliest photographs, which make them more, not less, appealing as such because they visually show us his physical and psychological transformation from "boy-next-door" to confident, full-fledged star. This photograph does NOT appear in Walter Kundzicz's "Champion" book. This is the genuine article, an absolute "must-have" collectible, not just memorabilia, item for Jim Stryker, Walter Kundzicz/Champion, and male erotic art photography collectors. This contemporary photographic print is an erotic art photography classic. It comes with a copy of The Young Physique Magazine Annual Issue, which shows Jim Stryker on the Cover and reproduces the exact same photograph within. The Issue is now scarce. As far as we know, this is the only set available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: There are Jim Stryker and Walter Kundzicz prints available online, but most of them are digital copies or have very serious flaws. So they have little or no collectible value. A rare set thus. One of the iconic American male-nude models of the 20th century. A fine set. (SEE ALSO OTHER JIM STRYKER, JOE DALLESANDRO, AND BRUCE OF LOS ANGELES TITLES IN OUR CATALOG).