Marilyn Monroe Photos: Images From Norma Jean's First Photo Shoot To Sell At Auction

By SANDY COHEN, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Copyrights and images from Marilyn Monroe's first photo shoot are hitting the auction block.

A bankruptcy judge in Florida ruled earlier this week that photos taken in 1946 of Norma Jeane Dougherty – who went on to become the iconic Monroe – will be sold at auction to settle the debts of the photographer.

Joseph Jasgur's photos, negatives and image copyrights will be sold in December by Julien's Auctions. The collection also includes several model-release forms Dougherty signed for Jasgur in Hollywood.

Darren Julien, chief of Julien's Auctions, said the photos have not been widely distributed and the collection has been locked up in court battles for more than two decades. He said the sale is significant because "it's very rare to see something where you can buy a copyrighted image of (Monroe), especially of her first photo shoot."

"It's really hard to put a value on something like this, because it's rare and not just for the collector," he said, noting that the owner of the copyrights will be able to sell and distribute the images. "These are probably the most significant images of Marilyn that are available because they're so early, from the first part of her career, and it's rare to have images like these where you're selling the rights, too."

He declined to estimate how much the images and copyrights will sell for at the company's "Icons & Idols" auction, to be held Dec. 2-4 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The photos include a black-and-white headshot of the future Monroe wearing a jaunty beret, another of her in a halter top and a color picture of her smiling in a striped bikini on the sand. Julien said Jasgur was hired by the Blue Book modeling agency to shoot the then-unknown Norma Jeane.

AP Photo/Julien's Auctions, Joseph Jasgur

Comments

[The Eye Roller]

10:09 PM on 09/26/2011

Also, it's too easy to make judgments on her complicated personal life. She had her faults, like every person who has ever existed. But she never publicly badmouthed anyone, which is so different from today's celebrities. According to her friends, she was generous, even though she was underpaid by her studio, and gave when there was no chance of publicity. Many other Hollywood stars had questionable behavior and messy entanglements. So what? Non-celebrities have skeletons in their closets, too. In the end, Marilyn and her contemporaries leave behind films that entertain us, make us laugh, cry, and forget our own problems for a while. That's an admirable legacy to leave.

[The Eye Roller]

10:08 PM on 09/26/2011

Marilyn Monroe was ONE OF A KIND. This has often been said of her by her friends and co-workers, the people who knew her. Any starlet today who wears curly blonde hair, red lipstick, and a beauty mark near her lips will only be a caricature or a pale approximation (I'm talking to you, Miss Lohan). Norma Jeane was photogenic long before she ever had her Hollywood makeover. It can be debated that there were actresses who were facially more beautiful, but Marilyn had charisma that enhanced her appearance. She was also one of the few who could pull off being sexy and innocent at the same time. It seems intrinsic to her personality, not wholly a calculated act.

I remember reading about someone's description of Marilyn's ability to gather "all the available light" when she was in the room. She had that "it" factor. Some of you don't like her, but it seems silly to dismiss the fact that she was a supremely talented photographic model, a good singer, and an actress with great comedic timing. I often find that those who have the worst things to say about her have barely seen any of her films or read a biography. It's all about repeating tabloid gossip to them. How foolish to think she and her dumb blonde film persona are one and the same. Does anyone with enough common sense really believe the actor IS the character he plays?

[ros375]

06:47 AM on 09/26/2011

never in a million years would i have recognized her as MM

[Itsasmallworld]

04:10 PM on 09/25/2011

Holy nose job!

[Tulka2]

02:45 PM on 09/25/2011

Adorable, but someone you pass on the street everyday.  Truman Capote famously told the story of the time he met her for lunch in NYC and remarked after awhile how amazing it was that she was able to walk around without anyone paying any attention.  She said, "Oh, that's because I am not being 'Marilyn'".  With that, she removed her sunglasses and started "the walk".  Within moments they were drawing a crowd.  She laughed, raised her hand for a cab and away they went.

[freddsky]

02:30 PM on 09/25/2011

"Goodbye, Norma Jean?" Her celebrity persona was that of a troubled, complicated woman outshining the limitations implaced by moguls from without and her own limited Thespian skills. It's too easy to call it "charm" but it never really rose to the level of "charisma:" had she had that, the Kennedys would have respected, not just toyed with her. Her untimely death sealed the legend and left behind some lasting screen moments that still fascinate many of us; though they made directors, crews, and co-stars at the time want to spit nails. It was, I think, those nails she already saw coming at her that made her difficult and late. Way before "psychotic" became the new "neurotic." Those shrill meanies who say they still don't get her are probably the same ones who insist they want their lives to be filled with gratitude and meaning, then they keep on having kids anyway.

[FEsrigoHL]

01:12 PM on 09/25/2011

Poor girl. Her mom was seriously "mental". Her dad -- who knows. She was viewed and used as a sex object. She was having affairs with married men. She had some interesting screen roles - yes. But overall the obsession with her only shows what mixed up priorities too many men have. Beauty is fleeting and wears thin when the character and mental state are heavily flawed. Fantasies are fine but not to be confused with the real thing. But then for some it is just such a vision that they deserve : tacky low down variety. If the shoe fits,. wear it but don't send me a comment as I don't read them.

[Connie Markley Boppre]

11:50 AM on 09/25/2011

incredible

[trailerguy]

11:28 AM on 09/25/2011

marlyin the benchmark that everyone else tries to measure up too. Marilyn was a much a product of her times as her beauty and talent. As one poster said her dieing young, she will be what she was at the top of her popularity, like JFK, James Dean. etc. I wonder what would ahve happened and she grew old possiblity becomeing fodder fior the Tab. I remeber when Madonna tired to dress up like Marilyn, Yikes rest mm

[Clevelandinwi]

11:12 AM on 09/25/2011

Anything today to compare?

[henrypapillon]

11:20 AM on 09/25/2011

Oh, yeah there's a zillion girls, but most disqualify themselves with tattoos.

[jumpinjezebel]

12:42 PM on 09/25/2011

we call the tramp stamps.

[CaptZag Harden]

01:33 PM on 09/25/2011

Very well said, HP!

[tissa]

11:46 AM on 09/25/2011

Angelina Jolie--Check her out on the cover of this weeks Vanity Fair.  Bone structure and eyes todie for.


Perfection.

[Megandale]

07:25 PM on 09/25/2011

Gosh, no! I don't think AJ holds a candle to Marilyn. To each his own!

[BlueRoseofTexas]

12:50 PM on 09/26/2011

Lacking the charm and vulernability.

[dannidan]

11:00 AM on 09/25/2011

What a Beauty

[rkeeeballs]

10:38 AM on 09/25/2011

she is average..I've seen score's that look as good, if not better...!..but in the day...She made head's turn...wish she would sing happy birthday to meeeeee !! goodbye...

[saphielssapphire]

11:33 AM on 09/25/2011

She's really not average. She has naturally beautiful bone structure and facial features, plus a gorgeous figure. This is not average.

[tlpfliger]

01:39 PM on 09/25/2011

only our thoughts are average....

[chelledc]

01:48 PM on 09/25/2011

I agree and I don't think that's a bad thing. Average is normally beautiful. Like most average folks she was boosted by that certain something that makes you look twice.

[karen lyons kalmenson]

10:34 AM on 09/25/2011

an all american girl
enters hollybad
and the rest of her
life, goes from not good
to really sad

[E-MU]

10:34 AM on 09/25/2011

I suggest people read Arthur Miller's autobio, Timebends. The section on his marriage to Marilyn is heartbreakingly wonderful. She was impossible to live with but impossible not to love.
Men and women of such different natures all were drawn to her and those of good intent struggled, often valiantly, to help her.

Besides all that, she was earnest in trying to become the best actress she could be. The great actors she worked with found technical flaws in her perfomances but from where I sit now, I see some great acting, even in the smallest parts.
She was quite determined not to be controlled by the studios. If I remember correctly, she was instrumental in formation of United Artists.

The affairs with politicians and other famous people, well, just another part of an unusual American life.

[justan olnamvet]

10:49 AM on 09/25/2011

Wasn't United Artists formed by Charlie Chaplin,Douglas Fairbanks,and Mary Pickford? That was way before Monroe.

[Sundae Driver]

10:56 AM on 09/25/2011

Yep. Marilyn formed Marilyn Monroe Productions with Milton Greene.

[henrypapillon]

11:21 AM on 09/25/2011

Yes, I looked that up about 2 months ago.

[alienator]

10:04 AM on 09/25/2011

i have never... nor do now... or ever will see all the fuss over a person that is, at her best day, average looking.

[CarlIII]

10:24 AM on 09/25/2011

It must really S.U.C.K to be you.

[rkeeeballs]

10:40 AM on 09/25/2011

IT does not suck......she was average ...you must be ugly !

[sabelmouse]

10:26 AM on 09/25/2011

it's what she projects.

[Sundae Driver]

10:57 AM on 09/25/2011

And that's the key. There are, were, and always will be beauties...it's what shines from the inside that makes the difference. And Marilyn had that.