Questions: Other

Jacked in 1925! Photo of bodybuilder Billy Ralph, c. 1925.

These photos were originally taken by Percy William Luton, at Carlton Studios (Formerly located at 34 New Cross Road, London). Luton was an experienced physique photographer, with his most well known work being several photos of strongman and wrestler John Lemm. The briefs seen in the second photo were actually added on top of the original shot at a later date, as the photos were later distributed as postcards, and thus modest measures were taken.

Although information on Billy Ralph is sparse, it's known that he trained under the Maxalding training system, developed by renowned strongman and bodybuilder Max Sick. Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, his likeness was often used in Maxalding training ads, which appeared on the back of prominent fitness publications like Health and Strength. In these ads he's listed to have 16 inch arms, and it's implied that he had a fairly short/small build.