Sandow on Physical Training - A Study in the Perfect Type of the Human Form - the Marvel of Anatomists, Sculptors, and Artists in the Nude; embracing the great Athlete s simple method of Physical Education for the Home, the Gymnasium, and the Army Training School; preceded by a Biography dealing with the chief incidents in Mr. Sandow s Professional Career, his Phenomenal Prowess and Gladiatorial Skill, in Competitive Matches, Contests and Exhibitions; with Mr. Sandow s Scheme of Dumb-bell and Bar-bell Exercises, and his Views on the Physiology of Gymnastics, the Function of the Muscles, etc., etc. - Eugen Sandow 1894 - Gale &, London - First Edition A scarce and remarkably clean copy of the rare first edition in it’s original pictorial covers, by the ‘Father of Bodybuilding’. ‘Sandow The Magnificent’ also opened one of the first ‘health clubs’ in the world. He was friends with Conan-Doyle, Thomas Edison and King George V. Large [26x20cm] and richly illustrated from photographs, drawings and diagrams.

Sandow's resemblance to the physiques found on classical Greek and Roman sculpture was no accident, as he measured the statues in museums and helped to develop "The Grecian Ideal" as a formula for the "perfect physique." He is seen as one of the first athletes to intentionally develop his musculature to predetermined dimensions. In
Strength and How to Obtain It Sandow lays out specific prescriptions of weights and repetitions in order to achieve his ideal proportion.

Sandow was the promoter and judge at the first bodybuilding contest ever held, at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 14, 1901, and his importance was such that the trophy for Mr. Olympia is a statuette of Sandow, one could even say that Sandow was the inspiration for a recent Governor of California.
  Sandow was born in the ancient city of Konigsberg, he moved to London and was later spotted by Florenz Ziegfeld becoming Ziegfekd’s first star by placing him on the stage at the Chicago World fair.

In addition to the showman, Sandow was also one of the first advocates of compulsory physical education in public schools, for he felt that a weak or sickly child simply could not learn properly. He developed exercises for pregnant mothers to reduce the pain of childbirth, and championed sanitary, safe workplaces and daily exercises for employees.

pp. xvi 244 [8 advertisements]
  Condition: Very good, browning to plate of gold medal, else contents fine, some darkening and small 4mm chip to spine, light rubbing to corners and edges. Slightly cocked.   Ref: 103535   Price: HK$ 7,000