A fascinating assemblage created by Rudy Zablo, an African-American bodybuilder in Harlem, who used photography to track his progress in the fine art of getting swoll. The uniform photographs which, alongside precise hand-written notes and densely compiled workout regiments, meticulously document the hardening of his abs, pecs, delts and guns.

Along with the photos and notes, there is a handful of interesting bodybuilding-related ephemera, including the press release for the Mr. America competition (1952); a letter from noted muscleman Jack Kent; a blank application form for the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union; and one copy each of Muscle Bodybuilder (Aug. 1960) and Amateur Athlete (Feb. 1959) magazines. There is also a piece of paper signed by the members of a Harlem bodybuilding club called the “Titan Weightlifting Association.” While we have been unable to locate any substantial information about this organization or its membership, we can safely assume they were some pretty buff dudes.