THE LIFE OF EUGEN SANDOW

The most famous bodybuilder in the early days of the sport, indeed perhaps the first modern bodybuilder was Eugen Sandow. Born Friederich Wilhelm Mueller on April 2, 1867. Born in Prussia (now part of Germany), he began his career as a sideshow "strongman". Early in life, and with the help of showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Sandow decided it wasn't enough to simply demonstrate his strength, but to actually display his muscular physique as though it were a work of art. He soon made his "Muscle Displays" the main feature of his stage show. Ziegfeld eventually produced a major variety show entitled "Sandow's Trocadero Vaudevilles" for major theaters across the United States with Sandow as the main attraction.

Sandow built his musculature to the same proportions as classical Greek and Roman sculpture...even imitating their poses. At the Chicago World's Fair he even stood inside a black velvet-lined booth, posing with white powder covering his body, so that he would appear as a marble statue, a living work of art. He was highly educated, articulate, a fine businessman, and a gentleman. Though born in Prussia and born speaking the German language, he lived in England most of his life, but also toured the world over.

Sandow was also among the first to advocate a government Ministry of Health, sanitary inspections in food establishments, family allowances, free meals for underprivileged children, compulsory physical education in schools, and prenatal examinations for pregnant women...
extraordinary concepts for the time.

In his personal life, he married and fathered 2 daughters, but his life with his lovely wife Blanche Brookes Sandow was a difficult one, and the person he ws closest to was long-time-companion, Martinus Sieveking. He spoke of Sieveking as his "great and inseparable friend", and they traveled and even lived as a pair for a time in New York City. Sieveking was a popular composer and concert pianist at the time. The handsome Sieveking built a fine physique of his own.

It is said that Sandow died in 1925 in London, as a result of a burst blood vessel in his brain, brought on from lifting an automobile from a ditch after an accident, however the painful complications, of syphilis is the more likely cause. Whatever the reason, one must remember Sandow inspired and motivated millions of people in his day towards better health and increased physical activity.

Today the Mr. Olympia contest, the ultimate prize in bodybuilding, presents a bronze statue of Sandow as it's trophy, a fitting tribute to the first modern bodybuilder.

It is to the memory of Eugen Sandow, world famous in his day, that this website of Victorian bodybuilding photography is fondly dedicated.

EUGEN SANDOW PHOTOGRAPH GALLERIES

EUGEN SANDOW ON FILM!

Enjoy the Great Sandow in Edison motion pictures! Presented here for your enjoyment in 4 different formats, see 2 excerpts from Sandow's wonderful "Muscle Display Performance". As he was seen at the great 1894 Chicago "World's Colombian Exhibition..."

EUGEN SANDOW IN MOTION PICTURES

Physique photography's principal goal is to pose and record the subject so as to show his or her musculature as clearly and artistically as possible. ÊIt was born in the nineteenth century when the techniques for developing the human body had been perfected to the point where athletes could get fairly consistent results from their efforts. ÊAs the methods for bodybuilding improved over the years, the physiques changed as did the photographic styles used to chronicle them. When photographers were first faced with the possibility of recording the physiques of muscular men, they drew on traditions that had been used for centuries.

Although some of the photographs that appear on this site were acquired through public domain, many of the images were sent from private collections, furthermore, the image restorations and articles that appear on this site are copyrighted. Please keep this in mind before using anything from this site for a purpose other than your personal enjoyment or research. Please write if you have any questions or requests.

THE FIRST BODYBUILDERS

This is an on-line exhibition of restored Victorian muscle champions and the photographs that they have left us. Many of these men, were world famous in their day, and until now, long forgotten. This is a tribute to their hard work and dedication. These men were building their physiques long before muscle-building drugs and you see them as they actually appeared. Although I have restored many of the images to remove ink, scratches, and blemishes, I have not "enhanced the muscularity of these men. The many photographs on this site were gathered from books published from 1880 through 1930, and to my knowledge, there are no images newer than that date here. Many other photographs were sent to me from collectors from all over the world, and some from the descendants of these champions. Seen in those times, these men appeared incredibly muscular compared with the average Victorian man, who tended to be rather thin, quite unlike the average man of today. These men were the "super heroes" of their times and would inspire many of their contemporaries towards paths of better nutrition, health and vitality.

CONTINUE TO MUSCLE CHAMPIONS PHOTOGRAPH GALLERIES

EARLE LIEDERMAN

Author of "Muscle Building", "Secrets of Strength", Jujitsu", "Endurance" and many other books- the picture at right is circa 1924 - His measurements were as follows: height: 5'9" - weight: 185 lbs. - chest: 47 3/4" - waist: 32" - biceps: 16 1/2" - quads 23 1/2". His offices were at 305-309 Broadway, New York City. His muscle-building course was highly successful and extremely popular, especially during the 1920's.

CONTINUE

GEORGE HACKENSCHMIDT

One of the most famous of the early physique stars, the "Hack" was also a championship wrestler. His arm measured 19", his chest 52". He also had amazing back muscle development. In his "Complete Science of Wrestling" published in 1909, even in his photos where he is demonstrating holds on an opponent, he shows us what made him a matinee idol and a celebrity of the time. Hackenschmidt is stripped down, wearing only short trunks while his opponent, in contrast, wears black tights and athletic shirt.

CONTINUE

ALAN C. MEAD

This Engish gentleman was seriously injured in World War One, but he overcame the major disability of losing a leg, and became a muscle champion.

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THE ONE-ARM LIFT

One very tough feat to perform is the one-arm lift. It is rarely done today because it requires the complete trust of the man who is doing the lift, and the ability to set ego aside and relax enough to allow your friend to lift properly and without injury.

CONTINUE