A petite and charming album of photographs of young women in swimsuits, posing on boats, in the water, and on the shore — most likely the Tennessee River or Chickamauga Lake, with a dam visible in the background of several images (probably the Chickamauga Dam, completed by 1940.) The first photograph is a group shot of eight “TVA models lunching on cruiser,” per the caption; TVA is presumably the Tennessee Valley Authority. The models were local to Chattanooga, as was the photographer, whose other work appears in several magazines of the period. Though the TVA did employ photographers to document and publicize their work through its Office of Information, this album’s subject matter bears little resemblance to the officially promoted agency work of the period. The album’s notes, along with Wood’s studio stamp on the verso of several photos, offer the only indication of a likely purpose or audience for these striking images. None of the women pictured appears to have gone on to much fame (most are identified by name; one modeled for a local department store) and their smiling pin-up poses project more friendly enthusiasm than sultry allure: their efforts to visibly have a good time are perfectly balanced between the professional and the amateur. In one photo, a model stands on the prow of a boat, cheerfully aiming a bow and arrow while wearing a feathered headdress, velour swimsuit, and stacked-heel sandals; another wears a star-spangled and striped two-piece, cape streaming behind her. An uncommonly unified album of quintessentially 1940s pin-up photography.

$750