104

James Dean Original Negative At His 23F Porsche Speedster

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
James Dean Original Negative At His 23F Porsche Speedster
For James Dean Fans, a new treasure chest of amazing original photos. From the personal collection of Gus V. Vignolle, well known journalist, photographer and publisher of "MotoRacing", one of the first and most influential car racing newspapers of the 1950’s. This is one in a limited series of negatives that have been missing for over 50 years until recently re-discovered by Vignolle’s daughter, Zaz Clark. These intimate photos are of James Dean in and around his Speedster 23F Porsche (License Plate #2U73378) that he bought at Competition Motors in Hollywood. They were taken during his infamous car race in Palm Springs, California in March of 1955 which was his first official race, and which he won not long before his accident in September of that year in his new Porsche Spyder 550 while on his way to a race in Salinas, California. These photographs only appeared once in the January 13th 1956 (Vol 1, No. 7) exclusive, fully-illustrated memorial issue of MotoRacing. This is the one and only original Black and White negative photographed and developed by Vignolle on Kodak Safety Film, taken at the race. It shows James Dean, in a pensive mood looking down at the rare engine of his Porsche, the iconic license plate completely visible, as he holds a large idle adjusting screwdriver. Vignolle has said that he was having trouble with the motor and needed to make some adjustments. Even though his experienced crew was right there, Dean insisted on figuring out the problem himself, and at the moment of the photos was heard to say under his breath: Let's see now -- let me think". The negative comes with a COA, plus full copyright release for unlimited reproduction printing to the winning bidder. The Negative is carefully packed in a wax envelope, and includes a positive proof photo. Also Includes a copy of the MotoRacing issue. (Negative approx. 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" & photo approx. 5" x 4").