One of the most extraordinary artists of the "vintage sleaze" era is a recent discovery. These HAND-PAINTED ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS were taken in the early 1950s by Rudolph Rossi, a previously unknown amateur photographer who photographed no less than famed model Bettie Page (second photo above) and her friends at outdoor and indoor posing sessions arranged by Cass Carr. The camera clubs were unique in that they not only allowed picture takers access to nude women, but the models were an interracial group, both practices unheard of in the times before civil rights. In fact, one of their outdoor meetings was raided by police and has become part of Bettie Page lore. An unusual discovery, approximately 200 works, mostly 8 x 10 or larger, turned up near New York city a few years ago. The majority were purchased by one collector who is showing them at the site CAMERA CLUB GIRLS. More information is found there. A rare and stunning look into the secretive amateur photography of an earlier time! Also unusual is that the artist painstakingly took the time to hand tint each photo, thus creating the illusion of color photography.
