Spink_Sale318_section1_1_Layout 1 12/10/13 11:44 AM Page 66
The Collector’s Series Sale
Avedon - Signed Marilyn Monroe Enchantress Posters
1523
Monroe, Marilyn (Norma Jeane Mortenson). Actress, model and singer, a major sex symbol and icon of the 20th Century; and Avedon, Richard (1923-2004). Famed fashion and portrait photographer who helped “define America’s image of style, beauty and culture” for half a century. A trio of “Fabled Enchantress” Series posters signed by Richard Avedon. 20 x 28, and 23 x 28”. In them, Marilyn is cast as an earlier sex symbol of the 20th Century - as Theda Bara à la sultry odalisque, Lillian Russell in fin-de-siècle attire on la bicylette and Jean Harlow all in white replete with a Borzoi, of course. In 1983, Avedon released signed sets of prints for photos he had taken of Marilyn on December 22, 1958 for Life Magazine. The sets were originally issued with four prints: Marilyn as Theda Bara, Lillian Russell, Jean Harlow and Clara Bow (not included here); there was never one of her as Marlene Dietrich. Avedon signs with a flourish in gold and silver sharpies. These posters are First Editions on heavy stock. A complete set of four (including the Clara Bow) in similar condition sold for $3,107 this past July in a Heritage auction. Small bit of crimping and wear in margins, some pressmarks on the Bara poster. Overall posters grade Very Fine. Est. 1500-2500
1524
Monroe, Marilyn (Norma Jeane Mortenson). Actress, model and singer, a major sex symbol and icon of the 20th Century; and Avedon, Richard (1923-2004). Famed fashion and portrait photographer who helped “define America’s image of style, beauty and culture” for half a century. A second Trio of “Fabled Enchantress” Series posters signed by Richard Avedon. 20 x 28, and 23 x 28”. In them, Marilyn is cast as an earlier sex symbol of the 20th Century - as Theda Bara, Lillian Russell and Jean Harlow. In 1983, Avedon released signed sets of prints for photos he had taken of Marilyn on December 22, 1958 for Life Magazine. The sets were originally issued with four prints: Marilyn as Theda Bara, Lillian Russell, Jean Harlow and Clara Bow (not included here); there was never one of her as Marlene Dietrich. Avedon signs with a flourish in gold and silver sharpies. These posters are First Editions on heavy stock. A complete set of four (including the Clara Bow) in similar condition sold for $3,107 this past July in a Heritage auction. Small bit of crimping and wear in margins, tiny tear top of Russell poster, and minor red ink stain in field of Harlow. Overall posters grade Very Fine. Est. 1500-2500
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