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Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950 portrays the history of romantic love between men in hundreds of moving and tender vernacular photographs taken between the years 1850 and 1950. This visual narrative of astonishing sensitivity brings to light an until-now-unpublished collection of hundreds of snapshots, portraits, and group photos taken in the most varied of contexts, both private and public.

Taken when male partnerships were often illegal, the photos here were found at flea markets, in shoe boxes, family archives, old suitcases, and later online and at auctions. The collection now includes photos from all over the world: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Japan, Greece, Latvia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Serbia. The subjects were identified as couples by that unmistakable look in the eyes of two people in love - impossible to manufacture or hide. They were also recognized by body language - evidence as subtle as one hand barely grazing another - and by inscriptions, often coded.

Included here are ambrotypes, daguerreotypes, glass negatives, tin types, cabinet cards, photo postcards, photo strips, photomatics, and snapshots - over 100 years of social history and the development of photography.

Loving will be produced to the highest standards in illustrated book publishing, The photographs - many fragile from age or handling - have been digitized using a technology derived from that used on surveillance satellites and available in only five places around the world. Paper and other materials are among the best available. And Loving will be manufactured at one of the world's elite printers. Loving, the book, will be up to the measure of its message in every way.

In these delight-filled pages, couples in love tell their own story for the first time at a time when joy and hope - indeed human connectivity - are crucial lifelines to our better selves. Universal in reach and overwhelming in impact, Loving speaks to our spirit and resilience, our capacity for bliss, and our longing for the shared truths of love.

From the Publisher

An excerpt from Loving by Paolo Maria Noseda

If I embrace you, do not be afraid. If I embrace you, then accept me as I am; take me with you and transform yesterday into today; do not allow tomorrow’s doubt to interfere between us. “Loving” is a gift for those who are not capable of suffocating their emotions or are afraid of being overwhelmed. It is the force of he who fears neither derision, nor criticism, as he has grasped the certitude of his own being as something Human and True. An embrace is a human who talks of sentiment and negates not the present.

Hope is kindled from an embrace, and as much as it is humanly possible to speak of certainty, no one can know their own beauty or perceive a sense of their own worth until it has been reflected back through the mirror of another loving, caring human being.

Photo below by: Bill Westmorland

Meet Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell

We have been together for nearly thirty years. According to us, we’ve been married since 1992. There wasn’t a ceremony with friends and family. It was just something we did on our own and it included exchanging rings. None of the subjects in our photos had the legal option of marriage, they, like us in 1992, did have the private, personal option.

These photos have taught us something we instinctively understood, but hadn’t yet formed into a thought: the human heart has never conformed to the strictures of society as it stumbles awkwardly through something it doesn’t immediately understand. The heart will always find its way to the light, and in this case, into daylight. Until this collection, we thought that the notion of us as a loving couple was “new.” What we have learned from our collection is that we’re not new. We, and other couples like us, both male and female, are a continuation of a long line of loving couples who have probably existed since the beginning of time.

Love is love no matter what and in the end it's just universal.

A note from the collectors Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell

Our collection reveals to the world, and even to us, for the first time and voluminously, that feelings of love, attachment, or longing between two people are the same—regardless of the gender make-up of the couple. Their images evoke as powerful a sense of love and humanity as has ever been filmed, or written about, or acted out on a stage. They appear in many varied contexts that repeat across time and global geography. They pose together in the bow of a boat, on a tree branch, on a bicycle, at the beach, in a forest, leaning against a car, and even in, or on, a bed. From a social perspective, the range is extensive as the images reflect back nineteenth-century working class figures, fashionably dressed businessmen, university students, and soldiers and sailors of all ages.

It spans a century of time between the 1850s and the 1950s, and hits many notes in a rich chord. Thematically, it represents pure love. Photographically, it documents, from nearly its beginning, the first one hundred years of photo taking. One can also see the evolution of fashion, hairstyles, and societal norms as they relate to these subjects. The result is a romantic depiction of a special category of human beings, in all their diversity, that has been shown to be overwhelming for some, but certainly eye-opening for all. The intensity of their expressions, the purity of their passion, the simplicity of their emotions all serve to communicate a message as old as time, but from an unexpected, and heretofore hidden, source. Loving is a book that is intended to usher in a new sensibility, a fresh humanism of love. Rather than categorizing individuals, the collection brings us all together, “accidentally,” under one—if we may—“umbrella.” It shines new light on the universality of the most written about, enacted, or filmed emotion—love. Its message is for everyone.

Experience this, "love letter to the world, a powerful depiction of love between two people." – Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell

The "first selfie” of a romantic male couple

A couple, dating from around 1900, placed a camera on a dresser in front of a mirror and photographed their reflection using what appears to be the Faries Shutter Tripper. Below their picture, the two men wrote: “In the mirror.”

The first “umbrella couple” photo

One unexpected recurring theme, beginning sometime in the mid-1800s and continuing into the late 1920s, is that posing together under an umbrella was a signal that two men were romantically involved.

One of oldest photos from 1860

This photo has a tintype dating from around 1860 and shows one of the men wearing a ring on his little finger. There is a sprinkling of various other photos where the men are wearing a ring, or rings. But it isn’t until you get to the American military from World War II that you begin to see lots of wedding rings—and even a few bracelets.

"There is an unmistakable look that two people have when they are in love. You can’t manufacture it. And if you’re experiencing it, you can’t hide it." – Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell

A compelling photo from approximately 120 years ago

The couple is holding a preprinted message, and looking to us, the viewers. Each held the opposite edge of a sign that reads: “Not Married But Willing To Be.” They posed for that photo in a very different world than the one we live in today.

"I Do" photograph, circa 1900

This photo appears to be one of the first documented marriage between two men. The two well-dressed young men sharing an umbrella. One is placing a wedding ring on the other’s finger. A third man, acting as the officiate, stands opposite them with his right hand in the air in the “I declare” position, and what appears to be a Bible in his left hand.

World War II soldiers

Some photos depict a relationship that is only subtly evident, such as this one of two WWII soldiers stationed in Austria. Had the photo been discovered during their lifetimes, the soldiers could have plausibly claimed to be “just buddies” posing for a photo. However, a companion photo to this one, on page 110 of LOVING, leaves no doubt as to the romantic nature of the soldier's relationship.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ 5 Continents Editions Srl (October 14, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8874399286
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8874399284
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.01 x 1.37 x 0 inches
Reviewer: Mickie Kennedy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Glimpse into Hidden Histories
Review: Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950 is a poignant and visually stunning compilation of photographs that chronicle a century of love between men. Each image, carefully curated by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, captures moments of tenderness and connection that defied societal norms of their times. The photos, sourced from diverse places and eras, reflect the universal language of love and intimacy. This book not only serves as a historical document but also as a testament to the resilience and beauty of love that flourishes against all odds. The meticulous preservation and high-quality production of the book add to its significance and appeal. Whether displayed on a coffee table, like my book, or cherished in a personal collection, this book is a powerful reminder of love's enduring presence throughout history.

Reviewer: Stacy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: beautiful book
Review: beautiful book celebrating love. thank you Hugh and Neal for creating and sharing these wonderful photos, you can see the love radiating through each and every image. great book to own and also makes a very special gift ❤️

Reviewer: Drchubacca
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful book
Review: Beautiful coffee table book. I won't review the content, since I think it speaks for itself.Rather I will review the aesthetics of the book.It's a large book, perfect coffee table size. Matte finish hard cover. Pages are a thick and had a luxurious feel to them. The black and white image and lettering make it a very striking statement piece. It's a perfect mix of modern and vintage.

Reviewer: Mario33
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wonderful book
Review: Beautiful book. Bit on the heavy side but love looking through it and reading the descriptions of all the photos. Originally got it from the library but had to buy my own copy asap

Reviewer: Wolfram von Kleist
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Amazing that these photos were preserved at all.
Review: When we see all the evil things happening in today's world because of religion & it's many prejudices, considering that religion was more powerful in the past, its amazing these photos were preserved at all. In that era hiding & blending in was a must for survival. You could be killed, sent to prison, sent to a mental hospital for electroshock treatment or brain lobotomy, fired from your job, house & property looted, seized or burned to the ground. You could be hounded into suicide. Your name & address printed in the newspapers to spread your shame. Ran out of town. Beaten-up by bullies or police. Arrested. I got to see the tail end of this in the late 1980's - early 1990's. Got to see military police raiding a bar seeking gay servicemen for arrest & dishonorable discharge. Got to see police lining the bar exit with headlights as the press flashed their cameras taking photos of everyone walking out of the bar. Next morning they hit the newspapers. It was 1989.Now it’s happening again. Everywhere religion is strong. So it was a welcome thing to come across this book, which shows gay men have ALWAYS been around.Yes, we know gay men always existed. There's an Egyptian tomb showing a gay couple. There's an Athenian Greek sculpture of a gay couple that died while trying to free Athens from the rule of a tyrant. And we have ample ancient Etruscan, GrecoRoman, Chinese, Japanese, Hindu & even Muslim literature (along with paintings) demonstrating gay couples always existed. But actually seeing photos is heartening. We can relate to these. They were as alive as we are. Their faces are ours. Different eras, different clothes, different hairstyles. But humans just as us.That they took the time to take the photos. That they were willing to pay the expense of taking it. That they were willing to risk their lives, livelyhood, defy society & religion to take these photos signifies the strength of their love.The collectors have done a swell job rescuing these forgotten photos. A few reviewers have complained of a lack of black couples in the book. The complainers are unrealistic. They fail to consider photography was expensive, limiting the odds that impoverished black folk would take as many photos as whites did. And even if they did, blacks have always been subject to stricter application of laws than others. Black gay couples would have had to be much, much more careful about revealing themselves than a white couple would have been. And these limitations also applied to other races in thatOnly shortcoming is each photo should have a footnote indicating the approximate era or dates it was taken. As a historian I can infer the dates. But most readers will only have a very vague idea. 5 stars anyhow.

Reviewer: Uncle Casey
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: AN INCREDIBLE LOOK BACK AT GAY MEN THROUGH OUR COLLECTIVE HISTORY!
Review: My partner and I loved, loved, loved this book! It truly is incredible! The photos will have you in the happiest of tears, so have a hankie or two ready! Every person no matter their sexuality should own a copy of this book just to visually see how gay men have loved each other throughout this century! And finally our thanks as two gay men who’ve been in love for 28 years to author, Hugh Nini for hunting down and publishing these photographic treasures!

Reviewer: Paul Deeming
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wonderful vintage representation of the Gay community's history
Review: Love seeing all the vintage photographs of various Gay couples throughout recent time. Shows that we have always been a part of society.

Reviewer: Weberson de Aquino
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: livro lindo, refuta os dizeres que na minha época não era assim. fotos lindas, sensíveis, ótima opção para ter como livro em sala de visita

Reviewer: Thom Smith
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Nice. Well put together book. Expensive, but it is a rare collection. Thanks.

Reviewer: CESAR V
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: La calidad de impresión es muy buena.El empastado también muy bueno.Las fotografías muy bellas.

Reviewer: Misters M&M
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Highly recommended to buy. Very emotional. I am very happy that my husband and i have this at home.

Reviewer: Peter Campion
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This beautifully presented oversize book contains fascinating photos which were very brave considering the past periods when taken.