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Archive of 117 original evidence photographs documenting Los Angeles massage parlors, circa 1970s

Archive of 117 original evidence photographs documenting Los Angeles massage parlors, circa 1970s

Archive of 117 original evidence photographs documenting Los Angeles massage parlors, circa 1970s

by [Los Angeles] [Sex work] [Vice policing]

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Seller rating:
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About This Item

N.p.: N.p., 1974. Archive of 117 vintage evidence photographs (including 114 in black-and-white and three in color) of massage parlors in the Los Angeles area. Each photograph with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stamps on the versos. Many photographs with annotations in manuscript ink on the recto margins and on the versos, identifying locations, years, and subjects.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Los Angeles saw the proliferation of massage parlors and adult stores, as well as an increase in prostitution by all genders. Provocative names-such as "House of Erotica," "The Institute of Oral Love," "Tiger's Den," and the like-were used by the parlors to convey the idea that more could be obtained than just a massage. By the late 1970s, vice policing crackdowns on solicitation had a marked impact on the city's parlors, and many were shuttered by the 1980s.

The archive on offer contains many images of massage parlor proprietors, managers, and workers, as well as a number of photographs of male clients, both immediately after being arrested, and later, while being held at the police station. Several photographs show police officers in uniform and in undercover plainclothes, at the parlors and at the station. The balance of the photographs, however, document parlor exterior advertising and interiors, with approximately 40 distinct locations represented.

A fascinating artifact from a pivotal moment in Los Angeles history, capturing the heyday of the sex industry in the late 20th century.

Approximately 5.25 x 5 inches. Near Fine, with color photographs lightly faded.

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Details

Seller
Royal Books, Inc. US (US)
Seller's Inventory #
158614
Title
Archive of 117 original evidence photographs documenting Los Angeles massage parlors, circa 1970s
Author
[Los Angeles] [Sex work] [Vice policing]
Book Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Publisher
N.p.
Place of Publication
N.p.
Date Published
1974
Keywords
Archives | Photographs | Los Angeles | Hollywood
Bookseller catalogs
Hollywood; Photographs; Archives;

Terms of Sale

Royal Books, Inc.

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About the Seller

Royal Books, Inc.

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2007
Baltimore, Maryland

About Royal Books, Inc.

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Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Fine
A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Recto
The page on the right side of a book, with the term Verso used to describe the page on the left side.

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