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Sizing up at the Miss California Beauty Contest
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Sizing up at the Miss California Beauty Contest
Judges at the Miss California beauty contest held at Venice, California in the summer of 1939, using a scientific device to assist them in their decision. Competitors were asked to step in front a large sheet of plate glass marked out with complete measurement lines so that it was possible to check up their proportions and compare them with the established canons for perfect beauty. Miss Mary Jane Pease is the highly attractive candidate who is seen in the photograph. Date: 1939
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Media ID 14395694
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
California Contest Contestant Contestants Ideal Ideals Judging Jun16 Measurements Proportions Swimsuit
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph from the Miss California Beauty Contest held at Venice Beach in the summer of 1939, a group of introspective judges carefully assess the proportions of the contestants, using a scientific device to ensure that the ideals of beauty are meticulously measured and upheld. The contest, which took place against the backdrop of the golden California sun and the crisp blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, drew a large crowd of spectators eager to witness the determination of the most beautiful woman in the state. The photograph captures the intriguing moment as one of the judges, with a serious expression, examines the figure of Miss Mary Jane Pease, who stands confidently before them in a swimsuit, her arms raised to allow for a complete measurement. The large sheet of plate glass, marked out with complete measurement lines, enables the judges to check each contestant's proportions and compare them with the established canons for perfect beauty. The scene is a testament to the rigorous standards and meticulous attention to detail that defined beauty contests during the 1930s in America. The era of the 1930s, often referred to as the "Golden Age" of beauty contests, placed a strong emphasis on the figure, with contestants expected to embody the epitome of health, vitality, and femininity. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, providing a unique insight into the judging process and the cultural significance of beauty contests during this time in American history.
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