Large Photography Auction Highlights Classic Hollywood Glam

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Mar 18th 2010 at 9:01PM

Old-fashioned Hollywood glamour can be yours at the Profiles in History auction of the multi-million dollar Michael H. Epstein and Scott E. Schwimer collection on March 26-27. The auction is considered the largest auction of glamour photography ever up for sale in art history. The lots include many shots by George Hurrell the king of the classic Hollywood glamour shot. In his career he photographed many of the great legends of 1930s and 1940s cinema. His absolutely stunning picture of blonde bombshell Jean Harlow on a white bearskin rug created for Vanity Fair magazine is the platinum standard for ultimate glam. The original camera negative and a custom print of this photograph are estimated to sell for well over $20,000.

The auction features classic images of Gary Cooper, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake , and Johnny Weissmuller from Tarzan, an image which heralded the start of Hollywood beefcake. Master prints by many of photography's modern masters including Richard Avedon, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts are also part of the auction.

Epstein and Schwimer decided to sell their 25-year collection to benefit many of the charitable organizations they support, primarily the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. Worldwide bidding begins at 12:00pm (noon) PST both days. Bids can be placed in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the internet by visiting www.profilesinhistory.com.

[via Art Daily]

Tags: hollywood memorabilia, jean harlow, photography auction, profiles in history