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The Great Pretenders

Collection of 57 black and white photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls, taken in 1974 in London and Southend-on-Sea during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival. New digital prints, printed by Lear, using Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks on Epson Cold Press Natural Archival Inkjet paper. Mostly made by scanning the original negatives or, in some cases, the vintage gelatin silver prints. Signed on reverse. From a series 'The Great Pretenders'.

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A black and white photograph of two Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of the tattooed arm of a Teddy Boy, 'Sunglasses' Ron Staples, tattooed in the memory of the singer Eddie Cochrane. It was taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Sunglasses Ron's arm, Baz's Tattoo Parlour, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Tony, a Teddy Boy, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tony, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl, taken at the Black Raven pub in Bishopsgate, London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Checking the 45s, The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A photograph of a Teddy Boy displaying his tattooed back, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tattooed, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, drinking at the Long bar in Southend-on-Sea, taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Drinking at the Long Bar, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl in a cafe, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Baz's Cafe, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a car, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Pride and Joy, 1960 AMC Rambler Ambassador, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

London Wall, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy in the Black Raven pub in Bishopsgate, London, taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of Bob Acland, landlord of the Black Raven, a Teddy Boy pub in Bishopsgate, London. It was taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Bob 'The Guv' Acland, The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of three Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls dancing in Southend-on-Sea taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl, taken at the Black Raven pub in Bishopsgate, London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl, taken in Bishopsgate, London, by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, Sunglasses Ron Staples, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Sunglasses Ron Staples - King of the Teds, 1944-1997, RIP. Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Girl, taken in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Elephant and Castle, London

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls dancing in Southend-on-Sea, taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Blackfriars in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Blackfriars, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Girl, taken in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Blackfriars, London

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls dancing, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a group of Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A photograph of two Teddy Girls, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Waiting for Hot Dogs, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of two Teddy Boys and their girlfriends, taken at the seafront arcade in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Sunglasses Ron with Tony and girlfriends, seafront arcade, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A photograph of a Teddy Boy displaying his tattooed chest, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tattooed, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

London Wall, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken at the Black Raven pub in Bishopsgate, London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of four Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Bishopsgate, London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of two Teddy Girls, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and GIrl in a pub, taken in Elephant and Castle in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Elephant and Castle, London

1974
A black and white photograph of two Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys in the Black Raven pub in Bishopsgate, London, taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

The Black Raven, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl, taken in Baz's cafe, Southend-on-Sea, by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Baz's Cafe, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tongue Tied Danny Cheek, seafront, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, 'Tooting' Ray Emery, taken in Bishopsgate, London, by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tooting Ray Emery, Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a group of Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of two Teddy Boys, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Elephant and Castle in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Elephant and Castle, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of people dancing at the Long Bar in Southend-on-Sea, taken by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Jiving at the Long Bar, Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy and Girl, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of two Teddy Boys, taken in Bishopsgate in London by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Bishopsgate, London

1974
A black and white photograph of a DJ, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Tongue Tied Danny Cheek DJ, with assistant. Southend-on-Sea, England

1974
A black and white photograph of a Teddy Boy, taken in Southend-on-Sea by Kevin Lear in 1974. This is part of Lear's series 'The Great Pretenders', photographs of Teddy Boys and Girls taken in 1974 during the 1970s Teddy Boy revival.

Southend-on-Sea, England

1974