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James Dean Original Negative in Speedster Ready For Race

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
James Dean Original Negative in Speedster Ready For Race
After over half a century, James Dean memorabilia surfaces for all fans and collectors. 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 finally breaking a smile after sitting in his Speedster 23F for a long time (and delaying the race), and finally getting ready to move to his assigned fourth position, with the help of legendary track Starter Al Torres (in his famous polka dot shirt). Track announcer Jim Pollack stands behind them, waiting to start the race! 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").