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Irving Klaw
Photo: Unknown, probably employees of the distributor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons10

Irving Klaw

American photographer (1910–1966)

Irving Klaw (November 9, 1910 – September 3, 1966), self-named the "Pin-up King", was an influential American merchant of sexploitation, fetish, and Hollywood glamour pin-up photographs and films. Like his predecessor, Charles Guyette, who was also a merchant of fetish-themed photographs, Klaw was not a photographer, but a merchandiser of fetish art imagery and films.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Irving Klaw (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Nov 9, 1910, died Sep 3, 1966.1

About

He would commission fetish art (with models like Bettie Page, June King, Joan Rydell, Jackie Miller, et al.) and sponsor illustrative artists (like Eric Stanton, Gene Bilbrew, and many others), and indirectly promote the legacy of Charles Guyette and John Willie. Irving Klaw is a central figure in what fetish art historian Richard Pérez Seves has designated as the "Bizarre Underground," the pre-1970 fetish art years.

From Wikipedia’s article on Irving Klaw, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

Klaw was born on November 9, 1910, in Brooklyn, New York, into a Jewish family. His father, a BMT subway conductor, died when Irving was in high school. His divorce-combined family included three boys and three girls. Paula Klaw is a step-sister.

From Wikipedia’s article on Irving Klaw (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: film producer, photographer, film director, bondage rigger.4

Personal life

  • BornNov 9, 1910, Brooklyn5
  • DiedSep 3, 1966, New York City6
  • CitizenshipUnited States7

Sources

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