Signed PUMPING IRON 1974 Charles Gaines & George Butler Arnold Schwarzenegger

THE ART AND SPORT OF BODYBUILDING. Charles Gaines & George Butler. Published in 1974 by Simon Schuster.

SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY GEORGE BUTLER. It's likely that this book was a gift from George Butler to Joan Churchill who, along with George, began filming the Mr Olympia contest in Pretoria in November 1975 - she was the camera operator.

After publication of the book, he thought it could be a good subject for a film, but he'd never directed a film before. So in preparation, at his home at True Farm, he began watching top documentary films.

One of them being Gimme Shelter featuring the Rolling Stones, which was also the first film that Joan Churchill had worked on as a camera operator. George Butler died at True Farm on 21 October 2021. Pumping Iron, written by Charles Gaines, photographed by George Butler, (and the later film) had the most profound impact on the world of bodybuilding at a time when it was relatively niche and misunderstood, presenting it as a blend of sport and art, emphasising the creativity, discipline, and philosophy behind the sculpting of the human body. It also catapulted Arnold Schwarzenegger to global superstar status, and Lou Ferrigno became the Hulk. On hearing of George's death, Arnold Schwarzenegger said, When I think about all the people who were responsible for the growth of bodybuilding and the sport's crossover to the mainstream, two of the first are, without doubt, George Butler and Charles Gaines. Pumping Iron, the book and the movie, drew the general public in to our strange little niche sport and brought fitness - and this Austrian with an unpronounceable name and a funny accent - to the masses. I was saddened to hear the news of George's passing. He was such a talent, he had a fantastic eye, and he was a force for the sport of bodybuilding and the fitness crusade. My thoughts are with his family. Now scarce - I've found very few copies (1974 hardback) for sale anywhere online, and only a single signed edition.

I've listed some other books which may be of interest.