NY: Health Knowledge, 1969. 70pp; b&w illus; color centerspread. 4to. Photo-illustrated wraps. Light wear to spine and corners; partially removed sticker to front cover corner; very good.
First issue of this heavily illustrated drag magazine, a successor of sorts to the earlier Female Mimics. Contents include photo-features on drag contents (Miss Fire Island 1969, Miss All-American of 1967); profiles of performers (Jamie Lynn, Bunny Lake, Lori Lee), "The Secrets of Being a Professional" by Pudgy Roberts; a photo-demonstration of Pudgy Roberts' one-piece false bust; the "Female Impersonators Album of Greats"; reader letters.
Edited and with contributions from legendary New York drag impresario Pudgy Roberts, who in a 1996 interview had the following to say about Female Impersonators: "I went into Health Knowledge, who published Female Mimics, and Lenny Burton was there and I said, “Are you the publisher?” He said, “Yes.” And I said, “My name is Pudgy Roberts and I’m the world’s biggest authority of drag and you don’t know your ass from your elbow. You either make me editor of your publication or I’ll put you out of business because I do know what I’m talking about. You don’t!” And he said, “OK, I’ll make you editor.” But, I was editor in name only. I got them models, suggested articles and such, but they still did what they wanted." OCLC locates 15 institutions holding copies of this periodical.
