The Queens of Burlesque: Vintage Photographs of the 1940s and 1950s (Schiffer Pictorial Essay)

The book was a gift and she loved it! I will say since this is something that she collects I was upset that the corner was slightly bent

How many of today’s most beautiful woman would be considered so without the existence of plastic surgery, silicone, liposuction and Botox? And how many women would dare dance nearly nude on stage or a walkway without the help of those basic beauty aids? This reviewer had enjoyed “The Bare Truth: Stars of Burlesque” by Len Rothe just prior to buying this volume of publicity photos for many of America’s most beautiful burlesque dancers and striptease artists. The missing element of this new volume is a lot more text. The other volume by the same author had pages of pithy, fact-filled information and insights into Burlesque. One example of such text is found on page 90. The picture is of Crystal Starr: "More Bounce to the Ounce." At some time in 1955 Ms Starr made the following statement about why she works as a stripper. "I make $500 a week. I own my own house in Gardenia, California, and I have a car---all paid for. My parents have a house around the corner from mine. I've got all that and I'm just twenty-one. I think I'm doing all right."Therefore, I consider “The Bare Truth” a more interesting collection of photographs of some of the world’s most beautiful and famous female stars of their trade. But both books are worth owning. “Burlesque, however, like vaudeville (burlesque without strippers), died a quiet death in the mid-1950s, for the most part unmourned. The cause of death was the ‘new medium’-a large 10-inch screen B&W television set, which brought a live picture in our home (via rabbit ears on top of the set) and cost us nothing. The first really successful shows were variety shows, actually quite similar to burlesque, with their chorus lines, comedians, musical acts, featured performers, skits, and pitchmen…. The primary difference between TV and burlesque was that TV left out the ‘girls who teased and titillated us, male and female alike: the now all but forgotten…BURLESQUE QUEENS.” As for the publicity photos of the burlesque queen’s themselves, page 106 is a really rare photo. The picture is of the dancer Vallkyra “Toast of the Coast”. What’s rare about it is that the star’s left nipple is clearly visible and it’s truly gorgeous without being concealed under a phony looking pastie. Probably the next most revealing photo in the book is on page 29 and is a portrait of Princess Do May: ‘The Cherokee Half-Breed.’ Maybe the reader will find more of such rare photographs of these Burlesque Queens? This, like the other volume, is a fun read and viewing.

Breathtaking pictures of some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.

This is an amazing collection of promo photos of burlesque performers of the 40's and 50's. It is also an excellent reference for costume designers as was seen in the new movie "Burlesque" when Christina Aquilera's character had this book in her hotel room scene, as she prepares for her new job. It is refreshing to see "real looking" women in this glamourous profession, much different than today's cloned Barbie dolls. Loaded with over 100 big photos, there is just enough historical information to keep it real. You will also want to get "The Bare Truth: Stars of Burlesque From the '40s and '50s" also by Len Rothe, to complete your collection.

This is a great book with absolutely beautiful photographs of the women who entertained a generation. The photos show the women in costume and include all the famous names in burlesque from the '40s and '50s including Rita Grable, Lili Lamont, Pepper Powell, Tempest Storm, and of course the beautiful Lili St. Cyr

Great book full of pictures of old burlesque dancers. Not alot of writing. Mostly just beautiful photos. No nudity.

love it

Good for what it is. I am disappointed the photos are not more racy. Actually very tame by today's standards.

Lovely book.

This book was gift for friend but sneaked look and stunning selection of photos. Good introduction if you're interested in history of burlesque

Lovely book!

Fantastic pictures! Would be great to have a little bit more explanation about each artists, but I'll definitely buy the second book too.

nice quallity