That Smile

Darnell in Canada sent me this photo of Lionel Ravaure stating it was his favorite photo of this handsome model and thought I might want to put it on my blog.  Well it is a great photo, so how could I resist?  Thanks, Darnell!  

French Muscle

A reader in Australia (Hey! I've gone global!) was surprised to find I've never posted any photos of Lionel Ravaute.  A quick search of the archive proved him right.  Shame on me. 

Lionel Ravaute hit the bodybuilding circuit when he took first place in the Jr. Mr. France contest in 1957.  In 1963 he took the top prize in the Apollo Mr. France competition.  

To the best of my knowledge, all of Lionel's photographs we're taking by Dominique -- a photographer in Paris who had a working relationship with Lon of NY.  Under that relationship, he used the names Lon of London and Lon of Paris, or simply, Dominique.  The relationship quickly soured when Lon received many customer complaints about the quality of the images they had purchased from Dominique.  Refunds were given to the customers.  Lon called the relationship a disaster.  

Back to Lionel.  Regardless of the quality of the images, I would bet Lionel's photos were big sellers.  Emphasis on the word BIG! 

P.S. JohnF. called it.  Dominique did use the name Lon of London!  Thanks!