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AEDMATT (Charles Edward Kerbs) (American, 1940-2002)
About Seller
1155 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02909
United States
Vallot Auctioneers was founded in 2003 as a fine art specialty auction house in Tribeca, and recognized as one of the first fine art specialty auction galleries in Manhattan. Now based in Providence, RI, the auction house continues the excellence in focusing on bringing fresh quality lots to the mar...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJun 18, 2026
Our AFTER DARK/SUMMER auction features fine art that celebrates the beauty of the male form across a variety of genres and mediums, from late 19th-Century depictions of affectionate men, to daring new approaches to gender and sexuality in contemporary art. Our latest catalog showcases exceptional works from gay trailblazers such as Paul Cadmus, Wilhelm von Gloeden, René Bolliger, Sam Steward, and many more. Vallots Auctioneers info@vallots.com
View Full Catalog (125)
- Lot Description
Grouping of Five (5) Erotic Illustrations Featuring Soldiers.
Ink and graphite on paper.
Each signed along the bottom margin.
Various sizes; largest: 11 x 8 1/2 in (27.9 x 21.6 cm).
Notes:
Known professionally by his pen name MATT, Charles Kerbs (1940–2002) was an American illustrator, actor and playwright active in his native New Orleans and in New York City during the latter half of the twentieth century. Celebrated for his dynamic depictions of male wrestlers, he was memorialized by fellow erotic artist Bill Schmeling (The Hun) as the “all-time great erotic wrestling artist.” [1]
As a teenager, Kerbs was an early subscriber to Physique Pictorial where he encountered the homoerotic work of artists such as Harry Bush and Tom of Finland. At just sixteen years old, his own illustrations were published in the physique magazine, Grecian Guild, which marked the beginning of a career as an erotic artist that would span some four decades.
In the 1960s, Kerbs submitted a portfolio to Bob Mizer of the Athletic Model Guild. Mizer suggested that he adopt the professional name “MATT”, an acronym for “men-on-the-mats”, in reference to Kerbs’ dynamic wrestling compositions.
Kerbs’ work celebrated hypermasculine archetypes —cowboys, cops, construction workers, servicemen, sailors and leathermen— rendered in bold lines with exaggerated musculature and often depicted in bondage or erotic scenarios. His illustrations regularly appeared in influential fetish and leather publications including Drummer. Kerbs also designed calendars, posters, book covers and illustrated nearly every issue Honcho published during his lifetime as well as the short-lived Foreskin Quarterly magazine. Toward the end of his career, Kerbs began self-publishing mail-order portfolios of his drawings and adult comic books.
[1] The Hun, “Remembering MATT”, Tom of Finland Foundation Dispatch (Fall 2002): https://www.worldoftomoffinland.com/foundation/Dispatch/Dispatch2002aug/Matt.htm
Condition
In fine condition overall, some with minor toning; various conditions consistent with age.
For further condition details or additional images, please contact info@vallots.com
- Provenance
Property of an International Institution.
- Shipping Info
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We do not offer in-house packing and shipping services. Shipping can be expensive, please consider obtaining an estimate prior to bidding. Below we have listed our preferred shipper as a courtesy, and we will be glad to assist you with your third-party shipping needs, however, we assume no liability for any shipper you use or any loss or damage occasioned in transport or otherwise as a result of shipping.
THE UPS STORE - CRANSTON
148 Atwood Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 654-6381
THE UPS STORE - PARSONAGE STREET
22 Parsonage Street, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 369-7029
IN PERSON PICK-UPS
In person pick-ups are to be scheduled by appointment during business hours (weekdays 9-4 pm) at 1155 Westminster St. Providence, RI 02909. Please call (401) 273-1618 or email: info@vallots.com
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