Severs, Kevin; Bradley, Jamie.

[Artistic Photographs and Fashion Design Sketchbook Created by Gay Men].

[San Francisco]: [1988-1996]. 81 loose photographs (most 8” x 10” or 5” x 7”, a few smaller) and four 8” x 10” contact sheets + 11” x 9” commercial “Basic Sketch Book” with drawings to all 51 leaves and copy of business card taped to front + 1 clipping + 6 pp. handwritten notes. Several photos with camera or processing notes versos, a few captioned names. Very good due to sketchbook covers moderately worn and soiled, rear partially detached; clipping creased at top edge not affecting content. Photos generally very good plus: a few with light spotting or adhesive remnants to versos.

This is a fascinating collection of artsy, experimental photographs, fashion and furnishing designs created by a pair of friends or lovers, two gay men in San Francisco in the late 1980s to 1990s.

All we could learn about these men came from the items here. There is a clipping from The National Alliance newspaper with an image taken by Kevin Severs at an LGBT+ demonstration in San Francisco in 1988. Most of the present photos reveal him as their creator, and there are pages of his handwritten captions and processing notes. One of Kevin's favorite subjects was his friend or lover Jamie – mostly black and white, artistic shots of Jamie nude or evocatively posed, and a few color photos of Jamie and others in drag. Two of the four contact sheets reveal a Black woman model, one looks like friends at a party (including a few of Jamie), and one shows a petting zoo, Native American-costumed horseback riders and a tepee. There's also a great large photo of Jamie lovingly inspecting a pony.

Also included is a sketchbook of fashion, furniture and home designs. A business card taped to its front has Jamie's image and full name (James Calvin Bradley), revealing him as “Hair Stylist & Make-Up Artist” available by appointment for “Traditional Fashion With A Modern Twist.” The book holds over 50 drawings, mostly women's fashions intended for a “Fall Show.” Other notes include selling prices, fabric ideas and thoughts like “Drag dress,” “Great idea for Lea” and “Scarf can act as cape.” There are floor plans and furniture designs for a new home in 1992, a “Summer night outfit, 1995,” color samples for eyeliner and one homoerotic drawing. Three pages hold sketches and plans for “My Horse Farm and Country Cottage” with affirmations such as “It will come!” and “I have lots of time.”

A sweet, creative collection showing the work and dreams of a pair of gay men in San Francisco in the late 1980s and '90s. Very good. Item #9101

Price: $950.00