I'm Jim Camp, the guy behind the synaesthesia press. I'm a letterpress printer, a publisher of limited-edition books and broadsides, and a lifelong book collector. I've been at this for close to 40 years, and most of what I'm offering here has lived on my shelves for decades. Now it's time for these books to move on to new homes. When one finds its way to your shelf, it'll arrive quickly, securely packed, and with no extra fees for shipping or handling. Oh, and don't be afraid to make an offer!
Offering: Lili St. Cyr. Vintage publicity-style photograph. Likely later printing, c. 1970s–1980s (from earlier image).
VG. Single-weight photographic paper, not overly heavy but not thin. Pencil notation to verso reading “Lili St Cyr” with a number (appears to be “7462”). Image remains clean and presents well with strong contrast. No major creases or damage. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm).
A classic image of Lili St. Cyr—one of the defining figures of American burlesque—captured in a poised, sculptural studio pose that leans as much toward glamour photography as it does toward pinup. The Bernard of Hollywood credit at lower right places the image within that mid-century publicity tradition, where performers were carefully staged, lit, and presented as icons rather than simply subjects.
While this appears to be a later printing, likely from the 1970s or maybe the 1980s, that actually fits the market history—images like this were continually reprinted for collectors, fans, and specialty shops long after their original creation. Originals from the 1940s–50s are scarce; these later prints filled the demand and still carry the aesthetic and presentation of the era. It’s a strong, clean example of a Lili St. Cyr image that displays exactly how she was meant to be seen.
A sharp, display-ready St. Cyr image—classic pose, classic photographer, and still doing its job.
My best pieces never sit around for long, so click the heart on my store page to save me as a seller. I'm also the publisher behind the synaesthesia press, known for its limited-edition books and broadsides, so when you buy here you're buying from a collector and letterpress printer who's been at this longer than I'd like to admit.