A portfolio of ten silver gelatin prints featuring some of Philippe Halsman’s most famous images of Marilyn will go under the hammer in a photography auction at Bonhams in New York on October 4. Most of the selections date from their 1952 LIFE cover story – such as the classic photo of Marilyn lifting weights – except for a 1959 shot from Halsman’s ‘Jump’ series. Two of Halsman’s own photo manipulations are included, with one showing Marilyn’s head on the shoulders of Chinese premier Mao Zedong. This bizarre image was used by the surrealist painter Salvador Dali for a 1971 Vogue cover (see here.) All ten prints were made in 1981, and were signed by the photographer’s widow, Yvonne Halsman. The portfolio, which comes in a clamshell box, is expected to fetch $4,000 – $6,000.
Thanks to A Passion for Marilyn
UPDATE: The Halsman portfolio was sold for US$ 8,925 (£6,552) inc. premium
The Marilyn Report 