Eugen Sandow

Eugen Sandow (born Friedrich Müller 2 Apr 1867 - 14 Oct 1925) is generally regarded as the father of modern bodybuilding.  He got his big break under the mentorship of Professor Atilla, came to London and challenged Sampson and Cyclops; two strongmen who were performing in the city. When he won he became an overnight sensation.  From here he built on his reputation to perform round the world, before writing several books, starting his own chain of gymnasiums and even running the first bodybuilding competition (in the Royal Albert Hall).

His book Strength and How to Obtain it is the oldest item in my collection. This one is a first edition from 1897. Unfortunately like the majority of those that survived it does not have the wall charts of exercises that went with it. 

Body Building (which I believe is from 1905) does have a chapter showing a number of the exercises Sandow recommends though I think it is unlikely that this is what he used himself.

The last title I have is Sandow - The Mighty Monarch of Muscle by Gerard Nisivoccia. This is more of a pictorial history, the version in my collection is an original memorial edition published on what would have been Sandow's 80th birthday 2 Apr 1947. I acquired it from strength historian David Webster and included the note from him.