I am positively thrilled to share the news of our latest release – or rather, re-releases – a trilogy of works by the renowned English authority on nudism, William Welby. Originally published in the 1930s, these books are now available again with brand-new illustrations by the photographer Stephen Glass, who regular readers of this blog will know.
First in the collection is Naked and Unashamed: Nudism from Six Points of View. The book is a fascinating exploration of the nudist movement in 1930s Britain in which the author delves into the movement through six distinct lenses—historical, moral, health, psychological, and aesthetic. He offers a comprehensive examination of what was then a curious practice. In addition, this volume includes a brand-new foreword by Tim Forcer of H&E Naturist.
Mr. Welby’s second book, The Naked Truth About Nudism, delves into the remarkable expansion of the Nudist Movement during the 1930s. He gives a vivid account of his visits to many early English clubs, such as The Lotus League of North Finchley, The White House, and Spielplatz. The foreword is by Brian Curragh, the archivist at British Naturism.
And finally, in William Welby’s third work on the subject, It’s Only Natural: The Philosophy of Nudism, the author presents nudism as an inherently natural and healthful practice, far too often unfairly judged. The foreword in this volume is by Mark Storey, author of Cinema au Naturel: A History of Nudist Film.
This trilogy offers a truly fascinating glimpse into the cultural and societal aspects of 1930s Britain prior to the upheavals of the Second World War and the dramatic changes that followed.
