HERMOSA "A" BEACH VOLLEYBALL 1983 [Cover Title]

[Los Angeles], 1983. Near fine.. Dynamic, panoramic, awestruck photos of the Hermosa Beach male volleyball players of 1983. Organized and labeled set of panoramic photos from the men's beach volleyball scene of early '80s California, documenting a single match played by the Hermosa Pier some thirteen years before the sport would gain the widespread international popularity to become an Olympic event. Among the identified players are two who played on college volleyball teams (Gary Bruckner for El Camino College, Bill Stetson for USC) and one professional competition player (Clay Howard). The photographs themselves capture dramatic moments of athletic exertion and heroic posing, shot from adoring low angles, frequently reminiscent of the more worshipful shots from physique magazines of yore. Behind the leaping and diving players rise the Mermaid Restaurant, the Poop Deck bar, the Strand Bath-House: all the now-faded or vanished institutions of the Hermosa Pier. In all, a quintessential moment of early 1980s California, captured in all its shirtless glory. 11.5 x 12''. Two padded leatherette board photo albums. Titles in black marker to both albums. Five cardstock leaves to each album, with 39 total black and white panoramic photographs (4'' x 10'') mounted recto and verso under plastic overlay. Photographs numbered and sometimes labeled in black Sharpie or with added post-it notes (to plastic overlay).