18d The Arrest 2 (ERTR-3) Apr'59

 

 ERTR-3 is the best documented of all the sets posed by Eric and Trefor. 

We have a complete set of thumbnails showing all the 24 pictures in reasonable quality. 

 The Royale Catalogue describes ERTR-3 as Part 2 of ERTR-1, which ended with Eric handcuffed and being marched back to barracks. ERTR-3 opens with him in the Office, being humiliated by the arresting Corporal. Although there's a smooth transition of the action here, ERTR-3 is better described as a sequel, because the men are dressed differently. In the image above, Trefor (left), is wearing shorts with visible 'turn-ups' and a dark belt (presumably khaki). In both ERTR1 and ERTR-2, he's wearing shorts with no turn-ups and a white belt. The two-tone shorts he's wearing in the image above were actually worn by Eric in ERTR1.

 

'The Arrest', as a title, featured in a beefcake press ad as early as Dec 1958 (in Tomorrow's Man). However, this probably referred to the ERTR-1 set of the same name, from Apr 1958, because ERTR-3 doesn't show up in the Royale Catalogue until 'List 7' which I have dated as April 1959. The first mention of 'Arrest', specifically linked to an ERTR-3 image, is in August 1959 in Man Alive 6. 

 

It seems unlikely that the two sets were shot as much as a year apart because of the difficulties of ensuring model availability. However, it is clear that Royale invested considerable effort in these two men. We know of 6 photosets, of 12 or 25 images, which must have involved several day's shooting, possibly separated up by the extra time to develop and print, prepare thumbnail sheets and marketing information. So a lapse in clothing continuity between sets 1 and 3 can be forgiven!

 

There seems to have been a plan to extend the 'Arrest' story line further with a role-reversal scenario, hinted at in the last sentence of the Catalogue description, above. However, if there was one, it seems to have been entirely lost.  

 

Notice that Trefor's name is underlined in the description, as though sarcastically pointing out that the correct Welsh spelling has finally been used.  

 

Read ERTR-3 'The Arrest' Part 2