Showbusiness: Unique negative of Norma Jeane Baker, later Ma...

Hammer

£2,000

Showbusiness: Unique negative of Norma Jeane Baker, later Marilyn Monroe, taken at Zuma Beach, Malibu at the very start of her career in 1946, by Hollywood photographer Joseph Jasgur. This photo forms part of her first modeling portfolio that was presented to Ben Lyon, casting director at 20th Century Fox. Norma Jeane Baker had married James Dougherty in 1942, soon after Doughtery's Merchant Marines unit was shipped out and Norma Jeane was left to work at a defense plant. With aspirations of becoming a model she joined Hollywood's Blue Book Model Agency. On March 6, 1946 Joseph Jasgur received a call from Emmeline Snively, head of Blue Book, Snively asked Jasgur to take a few test shots of an aspiring young model, he first photographed her on a small street in West Hollywood behind Beverly Boulevard and over the next few weeks he photographed her on top of Don Lee Towers, above the Hollywood sign and at Zuma Beach where this image was taken. This photograph offers a unique glimpse of the young girl who was to become the global phenomena that was Marilyn Monroe. Photos of this type come to market very occasionally, however the true value in this image lies in the fact that it is sold with the copyright to reproduce and distribute the image as the winning bidder wishes. 5ins. x 4ins. Ex. Joseph Jasgur estate and Julien's, Beverley Hills.