Finding aid to the Leonard Laton Collection of Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone Photographs, 1935, 1955, undated
GLC 62
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
2010
Title: Leonard Laton Collection of Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone Photographs,
Date (inclusive): 1935, 1955, undated
Collection Identifier: GLC 62
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
(20 photographs + 1 volume)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection contains original photographs and a book featuring figure studies of Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone, a physique
model and dancer from New York. A protégé of Charles Atlas, Sansone was a much sought-after model for photographers and artists
during the late 1920s and 1930s.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Leonard Laton Collection of Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone Photographs (GLC 62), LGBTQIA Center, San
Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
The collection was donated by an anonymous donor, July 2009.
Biographical and Historical note
In July 2009, the Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center received an anonymous donation of 20 black and white photographs and a small
book titled
Rhythm (Brooklyn, NY: 1935). The photographs and book feature studies of Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone, a physique model and dancer.
The letter accompanying the donation explained that Leonard Laton once owned the book and photographs and gave them to the
donor for safe-keeping in the 1950s. Unfortunately, the donor lost track of Laton. Now, decades later, the donor sent the
material to the Hormel Center in Laton's name. The donor describes Laton as a German Jewish gay man who "escaped the Nazi
holocaust, fled to Canada and then established citizenship in the United States. He was a gentle, intelligent, cultured person,
interested in photography, and nature particularly horticulture."
Anthony (Tony) J. Sansone (1905- ) was a model, gym owner, and dancer. He was born in the United States to Ignazio (Charles)
Sansone and Paolina (Pauline) Giardina, both immigrants from Sicily. Other family and friends who immigrated included Angelo
Siciliano who became well known as Charles Atlas, body builder, circus strongman, and mail-order entrepreneur. Sansone's early
life included dancing with Desha and other modern dance troupes, modeling for several artists, and some stage and film acting.
A protégé of Charles Atlas, Sansone was a much sought-after model for photographers and artists during the late 1920s and
1930s. He worked extensively with Edwin Townsend, Achille Volpe and, in later years, worked some with Lon of New York. Townsend
and Sansone collaborated on
Modern Classics (1929) and
Rhythm (1935). The introduction to
Rhythm is by the sculptor Arthur Lee and includes photographs of Lee's bronze sculpture of Sansone.
Later Sansone became a gym owner in New York. He married Rita and had two children, Paulina and Anthony, Jr. For his complete
biography, see John Massey's
American Adonis: Tony Sansone, the first male physique icon (New York: Universe, 2004). Massey's book places Sansone within the context of the burgeoning physical culture of the early
20th century.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains 20 black and white photographs of Tony Sansone and the book
Rhythm. Most of the photographs are nude studies and 10 images are reprinted in
Rhythm. One photo is inscribed: "For Leonhard Laton, with every friendly wish, Tony Sansone, 1955."
Arrangement note
There are two folders: one contains photographs in print number order; the other contains the book.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Lee, Arthur, 1881-1961
Sansone, Anthony J., 1905- -- Pictorial works
Townsend, Edwin F.
Photography of men
Photography of the nude
Folder 1
Photographic prints of Tony Sansone,
1955, undated
Physical Description:
20 black and white prints
Print 114
1955
General note
Edwin Townsend, photographer. Published in
Rhythm p.2,
American Adonis p.19. Inscribed: "For Leonhard Laton, with every friendly wish, Tony Sansone, 1955."
Print 242
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.20.
Print 258
General note
Edwin Townsend, photographer. Published in
Rhythm p.21,
American Adonis p.26.
Print 277
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.38.
Print 279
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.29.
Print 288
General note
Edwin Townsend, photographer. Published in
Rhythm p.45,
American Adonis p.31.
Print 291
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.11.
Print 296
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.44.
Print 329
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.27.
Print 338
General note
Published in
Rhythm p.31.
Print 357
General note
Edwin Townsend, photographer. Published in
American Adonis p.16.
Folder 2
Rhythm by Anthony J. Sansone (Brooklyn, New York: Anthony J. Sansone, 1935).
1935
General note
49 pages. Black and white photographs of Sansone posing and sculptures by Arthur Lee for which Sansone posed. Includes some
text.
