Vintage Collection Documents Same-Sex Male Relationships (1850s-1950s)
A black and white photograph, estimated to be approximately 125 years old, depicts two young men holding a sign that reads 'not married but willing to be'. This image, along with four additional photographs showing interactions between the same pair, is part of a collection of over 4,000 vintage snapshots. These photographs document same-sex male relationships from the 1850s to the 1950s.
The Nini Treadwell Collection
The collection was assembled by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell over 25 years. The couple discovered their first photograph, depicting men in a relationship, at an antique store in Dallas, Texas. This initial discovery led them to source images globally from flea markets, family archives, and auctions.
The photographs span a period during which relationships between men were frequently illegal and often not openly displayed in public. Mr. Nini stated that these individuals documented their relationships through photography, preserving images that were often kept discreetly.
The collection features diverse subjects, including soldiers, sailors, and men from various economic backgrounds. Settings range from photo booths and studios to beaches, with some images capturing acts of affection. While most men in the photographs remain unidentified, some images include handwritten inscriptions. Mr. Treadwell characterized the commonality among the images as "the unmistakable look of love."
Exhibition at Canberra Museum and Gallery
A selection from the collection, titled "LOVING: Photographs of Men in Love 1850s-1950s," is currently exhibited at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG) in Australia. The exhibition was initiated after Australia's Ambassador to the European Union viewed it in Geneva.
CMAG curator Nicole Sutherland noted that the images resonate with contemporary audiences. Sutherland described the subjects as displaying joy and suggested that some images indicate a degree of openness about their relationships within their social circles.
Observations from the collection include men holding umbrellas, which has been proposed as a coded symbol within some same-sex communities of the era.
Impact and Reception
Nini and Treadwell have published two books featuring these photographs. Mr. Nini stated that the project has provided a sense of shared community history for many viewers. He also observed that the public response has either affirmed or strengthened existing perspectives on such relationships. He attributed the significance of the collection to the couples themselves, who originally took and preserved the photographs.