Customer Reviews

The Complete Reprint of John Willie's Bizarre (2 Volumes)

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Wille's magazine "Bizarre" is reprinted in two hardcover books that come in a slipcover package that measures 8" x5 1/2" x 4" thick. It's full of his drawings and photos of corsets, high heel fetish shoes, pin ups of the era and page after page of women in bondage and they are just loving it. Its sort of kinky stuff: tiny waisted women who love being tied up but the people who enjoy reading about such things will love these two volumes and will want to add it to their

collection along with their DVD of Bettie Page and some pictures of Ashley Renee and Darla Crane.

This collection of two hardcovers is a real conversation piece. Both editions are full of B&W/color photos, illustrations, comics, advertisements, and cartoons. There is a heavy slant on bondage, restraint, and domination.

This is a facinating look back into 1940's women's fashions and attitudes which were a step beyond the norm.

The two editions are hardcover and come boxed.

If you like this, I also recommend EXOTIQUE which is also published by Taschen.

The complete series are reprinted in high quality paper back in large size format. All of the excellent drawings are well presented and the full unabridged text is preserved for all readers. The subject matter was daring in its time and still retains that haunting exotiqua that is John Willie. Readers and afficionados will not be disappointed. It is racy without vulgarity and caters to those interested in the beautiful and the stunning.

This book comes from an S/M bondage magazine that was published between 1948 and 1959. For perverts by a pervert. None of the pictures are X rated. Many letters to the editor. An interesting look at the history of S/M, corsets, and bondage. Some articles on slavery and medieval gags.

The Complete Reprints of John Willie's Bizarre is a superb reference collection of taboo attitudes and trends from the early part of the 20th century. They reveal your grandparents and great-grandparents deep sexual secrets and practices. They also shed light on the 19th and 20th Century finishing schools, and the methods used in these bizarre institutions. In the words or Eric Kroll, "John Willie is the father of modern fetish art and humor. He helped get fetish art into the mainstream." *****(out of 5)...

Bizarre is clearly the basis for much similar modern writing - you can see its influence in many places today. However, it is of more than historical interest; a lot of it is enjoyable reading even today, and some of the bondage pictures - even in murky black and white - are magnificent. I have been inspired and encouraged by it to lace my corsets tighter and wear shoes with higher heels. Of course, after half a century some things have changed; we would no longer encourage teenage girls to smoke or countenance cruelty to horses for example. (We might not even want to encourage the caning of children, but in modern society ill-treating horses is probably considered a worse sin!) However, if this sort of thing appeals to you, buy these books.

If your interests are with the exotic or erotic, it is sure to be included. A very interesting look at what went on behind closed doors from another era. Wonderful insights into forbidden sexuality and emerging trends. Recomended reading for enthuasists.

.... I would suggest you pick this up any way you can. As Eric Kroll says in the intro to the books, John Willie was one of the pioneers in fetish photography and drawing. Now everything comes off well, but a lot does. Even more interesting though are the letters that Bizarre received over the limited time that it was in operation. A constant source of interesting ideas and points of view....

My first introduction to the Bizarre series of magazine/booklets was in the form of a small TASCHEN edition of just glimpses of the best of Bizarre. I had no idea that there was such a popular series like
this in those days! I was very happy to see it and even more happy to see such elegance, such wonderful drawings, and such a eloquent way of putting the photos, drawings, models, stories and more together.

I took the little book out to show it to friends and I ended up letting one friend who completely fliped their lid have it :)
I thought I could go back and pick up another copy from where I
bought it before. Sadly I forgot! And I was without Bizarre in
my home collection of books for quite awhile.

Later a close friend who knew how much I liked that little book that showed a revealing side of the 40's and 50's, actually bought the
big set for me! The Complete Reprint of John Willies's BIZARRE.
2 books are in this set. One with a rather dominant tone and one
with a rather submissive tone. Within the books you will see all
sorts of ideas, inventions, photos, drawings and more art.
What is interesting to me is that these books focus mostly on the female. You won't find too much art considering males. However
don't let that turn you away, the art and the stories are just classic. It's a great reflection of the elegance of the times.
Everything the models wear or display is elegantly made and reflects
the era very well. High class.

This is a marvelous book for those that love the 40's style!
And of course, if you are interested in beautiful drawings, art, or leather, latex, rubber, or the most wonderful high heels and boots you've got to see these books!

Many will say that only those interested in the bdsm, or "kinky" lifestyle would enjoy these books, but that's simply not true, these books are facinating and they will take you to another time, a time
of class, beauty, and wonderful style! You won't be disappointed with the number of pages and amount of wonderful musings to explore. :)

I recommend this book to artists, or anyone interested in a set of books that will truly be one of the GEMS in their bookcase and collections!

Disappointing:- very bad quality reproductions of Wllies drawings and photographs,they are blured and lose much of the detail. Many amateur drawings clearly not by Willie.Only good pics. are on the cover.