DUBEL PHOTO #6. Rare Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of Mr. America contender MIKE DUBEL circa 1949. Dubel competed in the 1946 and 1947 Mr. America competitions.

Douglas Juleff was a highly respected photographer of the 1940s and 1950s who is recognized as one of the master professionals of mid-20th Century male figurative “Beefcake” photography. His photographs are renowned for their rich dark tones, superb lighting and aesthetically posed handsome, masculine models.

Douglas (1919 -1999) was born and lived his life in Detroit. He was renowned for photographing competitive bodybuilders from the Great-Lakes region including Jim Parks (Mr. America 1952), Bob Delmonteque, Stan Stanczyk, Jack Designer and Vic Speak (Mr. Michigan 1951). His work was published regularly in popular physique magazines of the period such as Strength and Health, Body Beautiful and Adonis.

In the late 1950s the Detroit police, aided by Juleff’s father, confiscated and burned almost all of the photographer’s negatives and prints. Juleff was imprisoned and after his release never returned to his photographic career. At the time it was a criminal offense to send nude male photographs through the mail thus, most of his images were unsigned. However, they are easily identified by their extraordinary print quality and the level of silver nitrate in the photographic paper.

This is a vintage black and white original gelatin silver print circa 1949. It is not a reproduction or 2nd edition printing. The photograph is printed on double weight photographic paper with deep rich tones and a soft matte premium finish. It is from a collection previously owned by the late Broadway and Hollywood costume designer Noel Taylor.

Photograph is 8 x 10 inches and is UNFRAMED.  (It is also offered framed - please see alternate listing on this page.)