Lightbox Feature

Shafted in the mineshaft at Bound Gods

If you notice something different here it's because I have turned off the 'lightbox' feature which Google recently introduced without telling anyone. It effectively extracted all the pictures in a post and displayed them 'filmstrip style' in an overlay. I don't think it's suitable for this blog where it is intended that you read the text alongside viewing the pictures. I wish computer geeks would stop fixing things that aren't broke!

Update Monday 24th - However I will qualify my criticism by saying I think the lightbox display looks better than the old style 'box in the corner of a white screen' format which is why I haven''t switched it off on my mitchmen.com address. I rarely post more than one picture on posts there.

Royale Studios 17 - Two Mysteries Solved - Part 5

Royale Studios - 'Unapproved' series 1

Above is another picture from the Unapproved School series showing the sailor more clearly.
Is this the same model* as in 'FJSS' below?

Royale Studios - Soldier Sailor (FJSS) Series

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I must admit I am not sure, but it's a tantalising thought!

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The next picture, also from Unapproved School shows the sailor with his cap off.
This is clearly a different man, John Dawes*, another Royale favourite and showing a splendid physique, although Fred Collins' thighs might edge him for sheer bulk. 

* No it's actually David Reid, John Dawes is a different Royale mystery! - Mitchell
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Royale Studios - 'Unapproved' Series 2

Unapproved School was published as two sets and the images show here come from the two different halves. It's conceivable that the models changed between sets, but probably not. 
 

Why does it matter? It's only because the opening scenes of Unapproved School are somewhat incoherent with dressing and undressing and punishments for no clear reason before the escape sequence gets under way (see my previous article on 'Unapproved' for more). 
If the FJSS series is a precursor then it might untangle the 'storyette' a little.
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In my next posts I'll look at the FJSS set and reproduce it with some full size versions of the images.

For earlier articles in this series click on the GIU/Royale label below

Royale Studios 17 - Two Mysteries Solved - Part 4

In my previous post I suggested that the catalogue label 'FJSS' stood for 'Fred and John' the names of the two models. The 'SS' I suspect is simply Soldier-Sailor. This is not just a wild guess. Royale advertisements which I have do mention a Soldier-Sailor set (without showing a sample picture unfortunately). Connoisseurs will also know that there are other Royale pictures circulating on the the internet using this label but they are from a different set 'Unapproved School', you will probably recognise the one below. 
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from Royale Studio's - “Unapproved School”
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You can immediately see a striking similarity to the uniforms used in the FJSS set, (sample below) and the soldier is clearly Fred Collins once again.
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Does this mean the two sets are linked? 
And what about the EX2 bit? 
More next time in Part 5.
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For earlier articles in this series click on the GIU/Royale label below

Royale Studios 17 - Two Mysteries Solved - Part 3

As an aside, the Catalogue labelling system used by Royale Studios was sometimes based on the model's names (for example EAM = Earl Maynard) and sometimes based on the title of the 'storyette' (e.g. NAGA = Navy Gash). I suspect this one, 'EX2 FJSS', is a combination of the two.

The sailor who took my fancy in this set appears in another Royale Studio catalogue as 'JOS', he is shown in the same uniform and posed with the drum, see below.

Royale Studio - JOS - John Skilling?

This is another great 'shorts' picture, showing off the model's trim physique very well. I only wish I could lay hands on a decent copy of it! Cross-referencing the catalogue ID to other pictures in my collection I believe the model's name is John Skilling.The other model in this series is a Royale stalwart, Fred Collins 'FRC' in the picture below

Fred seems to be one of those models who get bigger as they undress, no wonder Royal wanted him to shoehorn his backside into their shorts and other gear! These two must have been great together. So it looks as if the FJ in FJSS comes from the model names. I'll talk about the 'SS' bit in my next post, it leads my little investigation off in another direction altogether! 

For earlier articles in this series click on the GIU/Royale label below

Royale Studios 17 - Two Mysteries Solved - Part 2

Royale Studios - Catalogue Page 'EX2 FJSS'

The Catalogue Page mentioned in my previous post is shown above. I don't know if it has an official name but I call it 'The Drum'. You can see the 'belting over the drum' picture is No 19.

The picture shown at No 15 is one I used previously in my first group of posts about Royale/GIU, namely in the Guys in Uniform post No 10 where I wrongly attributed it to that related studio. The picture came to me with no identifying information and after much thought I guessed at GIU based on the picture quality and the 'through the legs' imagery which I knew GIU used. I was wrong and I'm glad to set the record straight now.

Sailor Confronted - Royale Studio

I really love this picture, so you can imagine my delight when I found a companion piece in the FJSS catalogue with the soldier and sailor reversed - No 14.

In Part 3 I'll talk about the strange catalogue ID and the models before going through the set in more detail with some better images.

Royale Studios 17 - Two Mysteries Solved - Part 1

Royale Studios - Military CP

This picture by Royale Studios will be quite familiar to enthusiasts and frequently crops up in spanking collections. It's a striking image with a couple of strapping men (nice thighs!) and all the usual Royale paraphenalia. The use of the military drum adds a touch of originality and authenticity.

It makes you wonder what's actually going on here? But I have never been able to link this photo with other Royale stuff - until recently when a member of the M_M Spanking Group shared an old Royale catalogue giving the whole set of 21 pictures. This discovery also provided the solution to another conundrum which I had mentioned in one of my earlier Royale articles. 

I will reveal all in Part 2 !

For earlier articles in this series click on the GIU/Royale label below

Mitchells A-Z of Fetish Artists - My Favourite 'O'

It is my custom to select a favourite for each letter based on the criteria of Sensuality of style, Fetish Content and Artistic Technique. There are really only four contenders here with a relavant 'body of work', namely Okawa, Olaf, Osamu and Osze. It's one of the less difficult choices for me.

Olaf and Okawa are tops for technique, but I prefer Okawa's less photographic style. For fetish content you can take your pick from Okawa, Osamu and Osze. Osze's dark story lines get a special mention here. But for sensuality of style, Okawa for me is a clear winner with a very 'restrained' and attractive style.

Overall my choice has to be Okawa.

Okawa - Tethered Young Captive

This final example speaks for itself, a glorious evocation of a young male, well muscled with silky skin. I love the fuzzy treatment of his hair contrasting to the firm solidity of the flesh. His arms are tightly bound to his body in an intricate but asthetically pleasing harness and the coarse hairyness of the rope is superbly captured. Tethered to a tree and exposed to the elements, he wearily awaits his captor's wishes.

Okawa is one of the 'Greats' of gay fetish art.

For more articles in this series click on the A-Z label below.