American Manhood: Muscles and Brains for the Aggressive Young Man (6 issues)
Jersey City NJ: Weider Publications Inc., 1952-53. First Edition. Offered here are six 8 1/2" x 11" issues; December, 1952 and January, February, March-April, May & June, 1953. Also sub-titled 'The Muscle Building and Physical Culture Magazine' and 'The Virile Magazine.' Each issue was 66 to 82pp; light extremity wear, tape repair to April, silverfishing and creasing to May, else Very Good copies. Item #21737
Published during the Korean War, 'American Manhood' was a short-lived hybrid part men’s adventure - part bodybuilder magazine. Science fiction artist Peter Poulton created the military-themed cover art created by science fiction artist Peter Poulton featured images of muscular bare-chested men in action. Most of the articles were about bodybuilding, famous or up-and-coming bodybuilders, and health and fitness topics. And, instead of female cheesecake pictures, most of the photo spreads feature beefcake shots of heavily-muscled men. In fact, the covers of American Manhood and the photo spreads inside were made to appeal more to hardcore bodybuilders and gay men than the hetero guys who formed the base readership of vintage men’s adventure magazines.
Publisher Joe Weider and his brother Ben helped create the modern bodybuilding and fitness industry, eventually distributing 20 different magazines, creating the Mr. Olympia contest and critically, convincing Austrian champion Arnold Schwarzenegger to join them. 'Amercan Manhood.'.
Price: $250.00