Loving II - More Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s

Aug 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan

Loving II continues the photographic history of men in love from the 1850s to the 1950s, building on the acclaim of the original Loving. The sequel expands the archive with newly selected vintage vernacular images of gay couples, highlighting emotional joy, tenderness, and intimacy. It offers diverse representation across social and economic backgrounds while presenting a century of photographic techniques, from daguerreotypes to snapshots. The collection aims to move readers and function as an act of remembrance and resistance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Loving II

Photographic history and themes

Selection criteria and archive scope

Contributors

TITLE INFORMATION Tel: +1 212 645 1111 Email: [ussales@accartbooks.com](ussales@accartbooks.com) Web: [https://www.accartbooks.com/us](https://www.accartbooks.com/us) | | Loving II
More photographic history of men in love, 1850s-1950s
Hugh Nini
Neal Treadwell
Contributions by Laura Leonelli | | | --- | --- | --- | | | ISBN
Publisher
Binding
Territory
Size
Pages Illustrations Name of series Price | 9788874394456
5 Continents Editions Hardback
USA & Canada
8.66 in x 11.02 in
336 Pages
320 b&w Loving $70.00 | | LOVING II is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s
The first LOVING book received widespread acclaim and resonated with audiences around the world
Reveals the heretofore hidden love celebrated and cherished by gay couples throughout history
Emotional resonance: Evokes strong emotions by showing the joy, tenderness and intimacy shared by these couples
Diverse Representation: Includes photographs of couples from all walks of life, highlighting the universality of love across social and economic backgrounds
Historical Significance: Showcases a century of photographic techniques, from daguerreotypes to snapshots, providing a unique historical perspective on LGBTQ+ history
“That said, the book is about far more than the history of photography or even historical record; it’s an act of remembrance and resistance.” —Attitude
LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s – 1950s (ISBN 9788874399284), was published in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Despite that, the book was available in five languages, the first US printing sold out in six weeks; the response to the book was overwhelming and emotional; and five years and multiple printings later, LOVING remains a best-seller. For LOVING, the collectors drew from 2000 photographs; now, in 2025, more than 25 years after they purchased their first picture, the collection has 4000 images. It seems logical then – even necessary – to publish a new volume with all new photographs from those acquired since 2019. LOVING II continues with more stunning vintage vernacular photographs of romantic male couples, with all the emotional power of the first book in intact. This new selection continues the story of the unadulterated joy – longed for by all of us and recognizable to anyone – of being in love.
As with the first LOVING, these photographs and what they convey, whether directly in an embrace or more subtly in a furtive touch, move – in fact change – those who encounter them. Indeed, anyone who has ever loved will identify with the elation – and peace – that these couples share. The collecting criteria have not changed: starting from the earliest years of photography and continuing through the 1950s, the Nini-Treadwell archive includes daguerreotypes, silver gelatins, tintypes, ambrotypes, snap shots, and many more – a historical capsule of a century of photographic technique. The subjects come from all walks of life: soldiers, farmers, students, the young and old, poor and affluent. Their creation happened between loving couples from all around the world. Each photo is the story of two told in an instant.
Image credit: © Nini-Treadwell Inc. | | | | Native Texans, collectors Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell are arts professionals currently living in New York City. Their collection has grown over a period of 25 years to include over 4000 images. Laura Leonelli is a journalist, photographer, and photography historian who writes for the cultural supplement of Il Sole 24 Ore, Arte e AD. She has authored several books and has extensively studied and collected anonymous, or 'vernacular', photography for many years. | | | Published 14th Oct 2025

FAQs

What time period does Loving II cover?

Loving II focuses on men in love from the 1850s to the 1950s, using vintage photographs spanning that era.

What makes the book emotionally impactful?

The book highlights the joy, tenderness, and intimacy shared by gay couples, aiming to evoke strong emotions and personal recognition in readers.

Which photographic techniques are represented in the archive?

The selection includes many historical techniques such as daguerreotypes, silver gelatins, tintypes, ambrotypes, and snapshots.

Aug 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rowan