BODYBUILDING ALBUM, FRANK BELL, 1930s

A photograph album containting 48 silver gelatin prints, compiled in the mid-1930s by Frank Bell, a 1937 finalist in the Mr Britain bodybuilding competition. The prints depict Bell, who was from Darlington, County Durham, in various bodybuilding poses, some including fellow bodybuilders, image sizes ranging from 60 x 90mm to 145 x 175mm, some with recto and/or verso annotations in pen with subject and competition details, mounted to page recto in corners or affixed with glue. Album overall measures 297 x 240mm.

The first photograph in the album, in which Bell poses with two trophies and two medals, is annotated 'F. Bell, Age 20, 1937' recto and 'Frank Bell, Age 20, Finalist: 'Mr Britain' 1937, 'Mr North Britain' 1940, 2nd 'Superman' of Gt. Britain' verso. A picture postcard depicting Bell with a compilation of trophies, prizes, certificates and awards lists his accomplishments on the verso, including '1 of 10 finalists in the Best Developed Man in British Isles', '3 times winner of Health & Efficiency, Best Physique Competition Open', 2nd in 'Best Developed Man in Yorkshire', etc.

The album is also accompanied by a group of 10 loose snapshots of Bell, in various interior and exterior bodybuilding studio portraits, each measuring approx. 60 x 90mm.