(BODY BUILDING). (ARCHIVE). STRONGFORT, Lionel. An archive of material related to the Lionel Strongfort Institute Correspondence School.

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(BODY BUILDING). (ARCHIVE). STRONGFORT, Lionel. An archive of material related to the Lionel Strongfort Institute Correspondence School. (London: Lionel Strongfort Institute, 1930s)  Binder: 336 x 228 mm; Booklets: 175 x 122 mm (or slightly smaller). Contemporary maroon cloth binder, with ephemera either loose or bound in. Binder with some light wear and rubbing to the cloth, other minor age-related issues (a few items with a little rumpling or roughened edges), but in excellent condition overall.

A fantastic archive of material related to "Strongfortism," preaching physical fitness to the every man.

Lionel Strongfort was the pseudonym of Max Unger (1878-1967), a German-born bodybuilder who gained fame for his incredible feats of strength, such as the "Human Bridge Act" and a record one-arm lift. In 1895 he developed a strength-training regimen called "Strongfortism," which included the use of light dumbbells combined with high repetitions. In addition to the ideal body, Strongfortism also promised the customer better digestion, defense against sickness, the ability to overcome impotence, and increased height. The present archive related to Strongfort's correspondence course includes some wonderful images of early body building culture.

The archive includes:

- Ten mimeographed lessons on Strongfort Institute letterhead, dated 1933 (30 leaves total, including one half leaf, printed on rectos only).

- Six pieces of ephemera: a) ad for a "complete gymnasium"; b) testimonial titled "A great Physician praises Strongfortism" (4 pp.); c) directions for adjusting the weight of "Strongfort Resistance-Increasing Dumbells"; d) "To my pupils" mimeographed note soliciting photos of students; e) self-addressed Strongfort Institute envelope. 

- The Strength of Hercules--how to obtain it. (London: Strongfort Institute, [n.d. [ca. 1920]) 32 pp. Booklet with original printed blue wrappers. With several images of Strongfort performing various feats and posing for artistic works.

- Promotion & Conservation of Health, Strength & Mental Energy. (London: Strongfort Institute, n.d. [ca. 1931]) 64 pp. Booklet with original printed blue wrappers. With several images of Strongfort posing in the nude (save for a fig leaf).

- Thirty-seven black & white cards with photographic reproductions of Strongfort demonstrating various exercises. Apparently missing two cards (the numbers jump from 29 to 32). With a folded advertisement titled "Read what the Doctor Says." (1113)