Robert Gant was an English immigrant, an amateur photographer and a lover of men. Manly Affections takes us into Gant's lost world of small town New Zealand: Masterton and Greytown between 1885 and 1915. A visual history of place, gender and sexuality, Manly Affections explores men's intimate lives in 230 images. What happened when an artistic 'new chum' and his camera met the sporty locals? As sitters for the photographer, Gant's companions crossed the lines between friendship, emotion, pleasure and eroticism.

Introduction -- Theatrics -- Friendship -- Bodies -- Beheadings -- Connections -- Map -- Dramatis Personae -- At the End of a Holiday-- Acknowledgements -- Photo credits -- Notes -- Index.