Topless Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski Photo Sells For $11,000 (NSFW PHOTO)

(AP ARTICLE)

NEW YORK -- A topless photo of filmmaker Roman Polanski and his wife, Sharon Tate, taken just months before her murder has sold at a New York City auction for just over $11,000.

The black and white portrait by British photographer David Bailey shows the couple embracing. Christie's says it was sold Monday to an unidentified private buyer. The presale estimate was $8,000 to $12,000.

The 76-year-old Oscar-winning director is under house arrest in Switzerland. The United States wants him to face sentencing for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. He fled the U.S. before being sentenced.

His attorneys plan to argue before a California appeals court that the charges should be dismissed.

Tate was killed in 1969 by followers of Charles Manson.

THE PHOTO:

Comments

[RockyMissouri]

06:33 PM on 12/14/2009

He had already cheated on this beautiful woman- I will always wonder just how many young girls he predated? He was skillful at getting the young girl alone and high and tipsy- it was most likely NOT his first time!! Read the court transcript. I used to be sympathetic to him until I read it...This girl had NO one in her corner!

[natchez]

11:01 AM on 12/10/2009

The years have flown by, it hardly seems that long ago Manson and followers ran wild in the canyons and deserts of southern California. Sharon Tate was truly beautiful and from all reports she was a kind and good loving woman looking forward to the birth of her baby.

I believe Roman loved her, only he knows, others can only surmise. Those that write of the stage mothers and the pimping of their daughters to Hollywood powers are right, that is what was done and still is!

Decades have passed and Roman has lived with the nightmare of the murders of his wife, baby and friends everyday I am sure. If the young girl (now a woman) chooses not to press charges and has moved on with her life why pursue this.

I am not condoning what Roman did, but to exploit this case is a waste of money, man power and time. It's all over and done with, Roman will live the rest of his life carrying the knowledge of the murders and whatever he has done in his life, he is being punished everyday, let it rest and lets move on.

[jamesmac10]

07:13 AM on 12/10/2009

Not sure what she saw in him. He's not exactly sexy. Pic would be better with out him.

[ElectricKoolAid]

07:17 AM on 12/09/2009

things definitely changed for him after her murder. his movies got worse and his personal life followed. maybe it was post traumatic stress disorder. who knows. she was so beautiful though.

[cameron d]

01:29 AM on 12/10/2009

KoolAid:

Um, except Chinatown. You know, his masterpiece.

[ChelseaC]

01:00 AM on 12/09/2009

She was so lovely--just beautiful.

[jillian222]

08:25 PM on 12/08/2009

This is a beautifully haunting image. Whatever one thinks about Roman Polanski's behavior after Sharon Tate's tragic death, perhaps this photograph tells us another story of the man he who use to be.

[jillian222]

09:06 PM on 12/08/2009

Forgive the typo in my comment..... "perhaps tells us the story of the man he use to be".

[alsm9]

11:00 PM on 12/08/2009

The photographer should get credit for this photo..not Polanski.

[jillian222]

11:17 PM on 12/08/2009

Yes, a fine point. David Bailey should get credit for a wonderful image.

[Zofomofo]

05:57 PM on 12/08/2009

One of the most beautiful women ever.

[NoSillyName]

04:45 PM on 12/08/2009

Where's the NSFW picture?

[Mulvaney]

04:49 PM on 12/08/2009

Would you want anybody at work to know you are looking at a picture of Polanski?

[NoSillyName]

08:45 PM on 12/08/2009

OH, I don't care. I always check to see what HP labels "NSFW" out of curiosity. This picture shows nothing "dirty".

[ElBruce]

01:04 PM on 12/09/2009

Girl nerple.

[NoSillyName]

01:06 PM on 12/09/2009

I could see nothing but the fleshy part.

[Economike]

02:09 PM on 12/08/2009

Jackson Pollack did worse but people still like his paintings.

[Itsmyland2]

03:02 PM on 12/08/2009

They do? I think any 4 year old with a few buckets of paint could do them

[Blissable]

04:32 PM on 12/08/2009

Then why don't you grab a few buckets and go for it? I mean, your comment's juvenile so you must be too right?

[Zofomofo]

05:58 PM on 12/08/2009

I love it when ignorant and tasteless people pretend to be cocky.

[Aldyth]

01:58 PM on 12/08/2009

It's a sad photograph. Whatever the had together, her life ended horribly. His life will end in disgrace.

[headly66]

01:35 PM on 12/08/2009

Roman is such a classic, too bad he paid his dues years ago but still has to face this nonsense. He did 42 days in a psycho ward, took numerous psychiatric tests, met all the requirements of the court and then that spotlight seeking judge breaks all his promises. He paid the victim $500,000 in 1993, she forgave him and does not want the case to continue and said it was all blown out of proportion but nothing ever happened to her selfish mother who wanted to be famous herself but failed so she pim ped her daughter out to a man who's wife and baby had been slaughtered just years before and obviosly had issues. I have never seen a case where all this happened and they still want to chase this guy. If he were an American he would have paid a fine or done 6 months.

Sharon Tate was an absolute beauty, one of the prettiest women ever.

[liarsclub75]

01:28 PM on 12/08/2009

I meant IN darn-it!

[liarsclub75]

01:27 PM on 12/08/2009

The picture would be lovely if Roman wasn't it it!

[hypnotoad72]

01:11 PM on 12/08/2009

Wow. Can't tell the look on her face, but he's obviously depressed because she's twice the age he's looking for.

/ducksforcover

[roch20]

01:01 PM on 12/08/2009

From the expression on his face, one could ensure that he likes women a little younger! Who knew; heh!

[CATNIP1]

09:01 PM on 12/08/2009

The 13 year old was all dolled up to look much older. Not defending him, but where was her mother?

[DessLoch]

03:20 AM on 12/09/2009

she was hoping to get her daughter in the talkies like Nastassia Kinski's mother and many many stage mothers before who pimped their daughters to known pe do phi lic directors. She expected him to look but not to touch. Just to get off a bit and get her in the biz as thanks. Not to mention enjoy himself with the photos whenever he liked.