#TBT: A Trove of Physique Memorabilia for Collectors (Photos)

Photography can be a doorway to the past, to your earliest memories, to the first inklings of identity. For many of us, the mid-century physique photos of Bob Mizer, Lon Hanagan of New York, and Russ Warner, among others, clued us in to our own natural desires. 

Western Photography Guild is a physique photography studio in Denver. It was established in 1947 by photographer Don Whitman. Don was also one of the original founders of the Mr. Colorado Body Building Contest, along with Lester Workman and Phil Dewald, in the early 1950s. This created a showcase for physical culture in the Rocky Mountain region. Today, Western Photography Guild is operated by Don Whitman's family — Don's nephew Andy Dimler and his daughter Myra, assisted by Don's niece Elisa Townsend. Although models are no longer photographed, high-quality prints and photo sets are still produced. 

We spoke with the very friendly Andy Dimler and he recounted the early days of helping his uncle in the studio and darkroom. He has kept in touch with as many of the Denver bodybuilders as he can and notes their passing on the company's Facebook and Twitter pages. The prints are available on eBay at very reasonable prices, and if you don’t see what you want, you can call him and ask him. A rarity these days. 

Ask him about the metallic prints. They sound beautiful and serve as a tangible experience you can’t have with online photos.

For more information go to the website, and for a great interview with Andy, go to the Bob Mizer Foundation blog.