FOLK PORN: Anonymous 1940s Sex Drawings

A collector in Philadelphia found over 150 works on paper by a presumably self-taught artist in an abandoned storage unit. The artist's identity and the timeframe in which the works were made are embedded in the materials, with clues such as ledger paper and safety protocol forms bearing the letterhead of the Rohm & Haas chemical manufacturing company and a partially affixed mailing label with a Philadelphia address and "foreman" as the addressee. The drawings are likely made for the artist's personal amusement and titillation and are a rare and fascinating time capsule of American folk porn.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 35 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: Blurring Books

In a forgotten storage unit in Philadelphia, a collector stumbled upon an astonishing collection of over 150 works on paper created by an artist presumed to be self-taught. These remarkable artworks are categorized into distinct groups, including pencil drawings that often serve as playful and explicit sexual jokes, vivid watercolor scenes, and drawings on mimeograph paper. Hidden within the materials are clues that shed light on the artist's identity and the period during which these works were created. The ledger paper and safety protocol forms, which likely served as the artist's support, bear the letterhead of the renowned Philadelphia chemical manufacturing company Rohm & Haas, established in 1909. A partially affixed mailing label on the back of one of the drawings reveals a Philadelphia address and lists "foreman" as the recipient. Additionally, the date 1955 is inscribed on the back of another drawing. The clothing and hairstyles depicted in the drawings suggest a timeframe spanning from the 1940s to the 1950s. A thorough search in the company's archives unearthed a staff photograph from 1931, which features numerous foremen who could potentially be the author of this erotic cache.
It is highly probable that the Philadelphia Foreman's erotic drawings were created solely for his personal enjoyment and titillation, serving as a rare and fascinating time capsule of American folk porn. The artist's bold and imaginative portrayal of sexuality, combined with the historical context of the 1940s and 1950s, adds an extra layer of intrigue and allure to this captivating collection.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 277 x 214 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9798986197524