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Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 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.

Estimate
$1,500 to $2,500