Description
Like many adult digests of the 1950s, Black Nylons and High Heels walks a careful line between cheesecake and “art.” Marketed as a resource for “artists and photographers,” these magazines were a clever legal dodge to sidestep obscenity laws—offering studio-style poses, scant clothing, and suggestive captions under the guise of figure study. This semi-annual volume from Dawson Publishing is undated and obscure; even seasoned collectors may not recognize the imprint. But the format is classic: 32 folded sheets (totaling 64 pages), each side printed with a glamour photograph, making it a continuous full-bleed showcase of vintage pin-up photography.
This issue features a standout five-page photo set of Bettie Page, appearing here in a very late-era session—likely right before she stepped away from modeling in 1957. While the exact shoot date isn’t stated, the styling and sets align with her final years working with Irving Klaw and his circle. It’s tempting to think this is just before the Senate subcommittee came calling (she narrowly avoided testifying against Klaw in the crackdown led by Estes Kefauver). Whatever the case, it’s a rare visual document from the tail end of Bettie’s reign, printed in a little-known title that rarely surfaces—especially complete and in this condition.
A must-have for Bettie Page collectors—and a sharp reminder of how risqué had to masquerade as “reference” in 1950s America.
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