Anyone who sets out to explore the origins of pin-up girls will discover that this art form took its first steps during the last decade of the nineteenth century, although the term 'pin-up' came into use much later. One of the most important figures on the other side of the pond was Enoch Bolles (1883-1976), remembered for his more than 200 covers for the British magazine Film Fun, and for the unforgettable 'Windy Girl' of Zippo lighters.
Cupid's Capers and Spicy Stories are just two of the many publications that welcomed his pin-up girls with open arms, and it was only a matter of time before other artists adopted a similar style. His work for Film Fun is estimated to have continued until 1943, the year the UK postal service launched a campaign against 'indecent material'. However, serious mental health issues put an abrupt end to Bolles' professional career, and a good part of his art was lost forever. Fortunately, many of his covers remain, and the Web has not hesitated to preserve them.
A Gallery of Enoch Bolles' Pin-ups
