Baker's Dozen

It's the 12th, so what better excuse to serve up a dozen? Welcome to the bakery! Today's assortment features twelve photographs of men named Baker, including Bob Baker aka Bob Baxter, Dan Baker, Ray Baker, Don Baker, Chuck Baker, Bill Baker aka Buster, Norm Baker, and Jake Baker.

1. Bill Baker aka Buster (whose birth name was Jeffrey Wayne Cole 1958-1991) seating on a towel with a sex toy in the background by Jim French in 1967. I've also seen these images marketed as Dean Baker, so please help clear up if able.

2. Bill Baker aka Buster with back turned to the camera. Notice the flowery wallpaper in the background.

It's funny how the baker's trade lends itself to a little dirty thinking. Rolling balls, filling cream pies, and glazing buns...it's all right there. But it's also just a name, and these Bakers make my mind wander. 

3. Dan Baker posed outdoors next to a brick column by Bruce Bellas c. 1958. I like the contrast between the rounded curves and square geometric shapes in this shot.

4. Ray Baker, seated beside a column against a white studio backdrop. I'm hoping someone can help me sort out the history of this photograph. One source credits Al Urban, circa 1948, when he was photographing quite a few military men like Ray. Another credits Pat Milo, dating it to the mid-1950s.

Here's where it gets interesting. According to the second source, Urban sold or leased portions of his negative collection to other distributors while relocating from the East Coast to California. Milo reportedly acquired a large collection of Urban's negatives and published or distributed some under his own name. Collectors have suggested that this particular photograph looks more like Urban's work from the 1940s.

So, did Urban take the photograph and Milo distribute it later? Or is there another explanation? I'd love to hear from anyone who can help set the record straight.

5. Don Baker seated on a wooden box in leather jacket, hat, and boots by Chuck Renslow aka Kris Studio c. 1962. From the caption, Baker was a cyclist and one of Kris Studio's stable of Rawhiders in Leather.

6. Chuck Baker in a plank position on a bench on Pat Milo's patio in the late 1950s.

7. Norm Baker reclining on a bed in Bruce Bellas home c. 1955.

They're quite an assortment, too, from the wholesome boy next door to the fit jock, the leather man, and the rugged blue-collar stud. Different faces, builds, personalities, and attitudes, each with his own particular appeal.

8. Bob Baker aka Baxter facing forward next to a tree in Pat Milo's back yard c. 1958.

9. Bob Baker aka Baxter with back to the camera between a stump and a tree from the same shoot by Milo as above.

10. Bob Baker aka Baxter in an oblique shot on a stool also by Pat Milo.

11. Jake Baker in front of a brown backdrop by Jim French. I love his trimmed beard, body hair, and slightly rugged masculine look. I think today we'd classify him as an 'otter' or maybe a 'cub', but I can never keep those labels straight.

12. Jake Baker doing gardening in baseball cap and overalls pulled down in the 1982 film Hard at Work with Vito Cesari.

Anyone else craving a sticky bun right now or is it just me?

Please leave thoughts, questions, additions or corrections in the comments. Thank you, bns