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Loving

A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950

By Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell

Coffe Table Book

Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, a couple of nearly thirty years, were browsing through an antique store in Dallas in 2000 when they came across an old photo from the 1920s they thought was one of a kind: two young men, embracing and gazing at one another, clearly in love. The young men were dressed unremarkably, appeared to be somewhere suburban, and most interestingly were posing out in the open. Taking such a photo, at the time, was risky. Hugh and Neal were intrigued and bought the picture.

About a year later, they came across a second, similar photo in an online auction.  It was a tiny portrait of two soldiers from the 1940s, approximately the size of a man’s thumbnail. The two men were posed cheek to cheek, and the photo was enclosed in a small art deco glass frame etched with “Yours Always.” They bought that photo tool... and an accidental collection began. For nearly twenty years, Neal and Hugh have collected vintage photos of males in love. They bought them in antique store, auctions, and on their travels to Europe and Canada.

By Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell

Today, Nini and Treadwell’s collection spans several thousand photos and nearly 100 years, from the 1850s through the 1950s.  Realizing they had amassed something others might also enjoy, they published more than 300 of their photos in one volume called Loving. Parts of the collection are also currently on display in New York City and Frankfurt, Germany. Loving launched in October to critical acclaim, earning raves from Rolling Stone, Smithsonian, The Washington Post, and Esquire. 

Giving Back

Purchase a limited-edition, signed copy of Loving at loving1000.org and proceeds will go to the Association for Historical Accuracy and to fund the book launch and photo exhibits in New York City and Frankfurt.

Copies are also available for purchase on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com

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About the Authors

Hugh Nini owned and operated the Denton Ballet Academy in Texas for thirty-three years. He also founded and served as Artistic Director for the Festival Ballet of North Central Texas for 25 years. In addition to directing more than 30 repertory ballets, Nini has choreographed two full-length ballets: The Snow Queen and The Nutcracker. He currently works as a private ballet coach in Manhattan and is on the faculty of the Joffrey Ballet. 


Neal Treadwell grew up in the West Texas cattle industry, working for the family business and even participating (very briefly) in the rodeo circuit as a bull rider. He attended Midwestern State University, where he earned a degree in art, then he worked in the "C" industries: Cattle, Clothing, and Cosmetics. He left his cowboy boots behind by first working first at David Murray’s, an exclusive clothing store in Wichita Falls, Texas, then Neal moved to Dallas, where he was introduced to the world of cosmetics. He has worked for more than three decades with brands such as Bobbi Brown, NARS, Bare Minerals, and Artis. He currently lives in New York City.