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Lot 540
(Monroe, Marilyn). Collection of twenty-five (25) photographs taken by Hollywood photographer Joseph Jasgur in March 1946 of Marilyn Monroe while she was still Norma Jeane Doughterty. Here is how it happened:
On March 6, 1946, Jasgur received a call from Emmeline Snively, director of the Hollywood Blue Book Model Agency, asking Joe to do her a favor and take some pictures of a newcomer "to see if the camera liked her." Nineteen-year-old Norma Jeane Dougherty showed up and boy, did the camera like her! Joe took some hurried pictures in the alley behind his studio, near the corner of Beverly Blvd. and Poinsettia Place. Less than a week later, on March 10th, Joe took Norma Jeane to the top of the Don Lee Towers above the "Hollywood" sign; she wore a plaid shirt and dungarees. Emmeline Snively decided that Norma Jeane's brown, curly hair needed lightening and straightening, which was done. On March 23, Joe took her to Zuma Beach in Malibu, and took pictures of her wearing a striped, two-piece bathing suit. A week later, they returned to Zuma Beach for more pictures and Norma Jeane wore a two-piece bathing suit with a seagull on it; they were accompanied by three cast members of a local production of The Drunkard. Based on Jasgur's photographs, Norma Jeane was signed by Emmeline Snively and became one of Blue Book's most successful models, going on to meet Ben Lyon, casting director at 20th Century-Fox, and signing a seven-year optional contract. Marilyn Monroe was born.
Offered here are 25 of the photographs from those early shoots, taken three years before Tom Kelley's nude, calendar photos of Marilyn. They are divided into eight groups and are in overall fine condition. Numerous Library of Congress copyright documents are included, but the copyright is retained by Paul E. Philipson (meaning that the purchaser will own and can sell these originals, but can not make reproductions for sale.) A DVD containing 1½ hours of interviews with photographer Joseph Jasgur is included, as is a photocopy of the Model Release Form that Norma Jeane signed for the March 10 and 23 sessions. The collection includes:
(1) Three color photos of Norma Jeane wearing plaid pedal pushers and a white sweater, standing on a ledge: one is 14"x11", one is 10"x8", and one is 10½"x8". With a Library of Congress copyright document.
(2) Six black and white photos, wearing plaid pedal pushers and a white sweater, five 10"x8" and one 13½"x10½". The 10"x8" photos include: one photo of photographer Jasgur "kicking" Norma Jeane in the behind as she looks over the ledge of a building; two chest-up portraits of her smiling upward (one of these is in a special background light process, has an embossed blind stamp, "Joseph Jasgur / Hollywood" at lower right and has a Library of Congress copyright document); one is 3/4 length, with her hands on her hips; and one is full lenth, on the ledge of the building. The large photo shows her standing on the ledge, her hands tugging down her sweater, and has an embossed blind stamp, "Joseph Jasgur / Hollywood" at lower right. It was inscribed in 1990 by an older Jasgur to someone named Karen (to whom he never gave the photo) and shows his bitterness toward Norma Jeane, who ignored him after she signed her movie contract. It says: "Karen--When I discovered Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe) and took her first modeling photos in 1946, I thought modeling she was super good. Discovering you in 1989, made me realize that there is no comparison. You are genuine and fantastic. This is why I like you so much…."
(3) Four 10"x8" black and white photos: one full-length shot, wearing plaid pedal pushers and a white sweater - titled, "Norma Jeane, Infra Red #5, With Both Hands on Hips"; one (with crop marks) is "Norma Jeane, Infra Red #4 With Both Hands Behind Head"; one is a head and bust shot, marked "Infra-Red Film" on the back, with Jasgur's stamp; and a laughing, waist-up shot, with left hand on her waist. The first three have a Library of Congress copyright document; the fourth has a Certificate of Copyright Registration.
(4) Four black and white photos in a plaid shirt: one 14"x11" head and bust shot, one 10"x8" head and bust shot, and two 10"x8" waist-length shots (one with Library of Congress copyright document).
(5) Two black and white photos of Norma Jeane, both 8"x10"; in one, she wears a two-piece seagull bathing suit and stands with five other people (photographer Joseph Jasgur has his arm around her shoulders); in the other group photo, her eyes are closed and she wears Jasgur's jacket over her bathing suit. With a Library of Congress copyright document.
(6)Two color photographs in a two-piece seagull bathing suit; one 20"x16 is signed by Joseph Jasgur at lower left; the other is 14"x11". With a Library of Congress copyright document. After looking closely at these photos years later, Jasgur declared that Norma Jeane had six toes on her left foot, but said he had never noticed it in person; this is vehemently disputed by many Marilyn fans.
(7)Two photos, one color and one black and white, both 10"x8": Norma Jeane in a facial portrait, wearing a white sweater. With a Library of Congress copyright document.
(8) Two 14"x11" photos, one color and one black and white: The first shows Norma Jeane sitting on the beach in a striped, two-piece bathing suit, with Jasgur's backstamp; a cropped head shot of this photo appears on the color of The Birth of Marilyn. The Lost Photographs of Norma Jean by Joseph Jasgur by Jeannie Sakol (St. Martin's Press, 1991). The second shot shows Norma Jeane drawing a heart on the beach; it is a promotional shot used in 1987 for a show called "25 years / Marilyn Monroe / forever young" by Prime Entertainment Inc. Both shots have Library of Congress copyright documents.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000.
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| Realized $18,400 |
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