Marilyn Monroe Rare Oversize "Champion Line" 1952 Nude Calendar Sample Sales Portfolio. ...

Description

Marilyn Monroe Rare Oversize "Champion Line" 1952 Nude Calendar Sample Sales Portfolio. Vintage original 1952 sample sales portfolio produced by "Champion Line" Calendars. Multi-size calendar sales mock-ups were sent to prospective businesses along with order forms and catalogs. This original 1952 sample spiral-bound portfolio features Monroe's most famous nude image, titled "Golden Dreams," among a variety of other subjects, including both cheesecake, and everyday life scenes. Monroe's name was not printed on this early calendar image; not until their 1956 calendars would "Champion Line" capitalize on Monroe's celebrity and re-issue the "Golden Dreams" pin-up with her name listed in bold text (along with unused images from the 1949 photo shoot). The uncommonly oversized 16.5" x 21" spiral calendar-formatted portfolio includes the legendary 1952 calendar plate (Monroe's page measures 16" x 20") plus other subjects in this size, as well as a smaller 14" x 14" plate of a Norman Rockwell-type scene of a young boy hiding his dog on a passenger train. Monroe's "Golden Dreams" image reached legendary proportions when Hugh Hefner made it the centerfold for the very first issue of Playboy in 1953. Displays moderate toning and signs of handling to corners and margins, including a 2" separation from spiral binding at upper left, plus minor red marker spots at center left margin. Interior pages remain relatively fresh, showing only minor flecking at extreme lower margins from page turning. Obtained from Profiles in History, June 1, 1996, Lot #400. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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