Description: Norma Jeane Mortensen in 1942 prior to modeling as Marilyn Monroe on 35mm slide format. Disclaimer: Due diligence in the history of US nude photography / art, US censorship law, 35mm slide technology, forensic facial recognition, reconstructive surgery, pictorial photography, William Mortensen, and Norma Jeane Mortensen is needed. This collection requires expert level marketing to raise the value and not for the average collector. Photographer: William Mortensen was a Hollywood Insider from the 1920s. His style of photography crossed the lines with pictorial art as a finishing photography artist, similar to "photoshopping" digital layers but in manual format. William worked closely with Hollywood film makers and then opened up a school of photography in Laguna Beach California 1931. William published many books on photography techniques and was one of leading contributors of Camera Craft Magazine along side with Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham, and Ansel Adams. Each photographer had a particular niche and became very successful, some nude photos were sold in the 6-7 figure USD range. William on other hand was outcasted by the photographic society for exposing the "dark side" or occult satanic rituals in his art. His belief of the dark was casted to illuminate the light, such as one of books shows in Monsters and Madonna. William was exposing Hollywoods deep secrets with the occult (witches, demons, human sacrifices, sorcery) without the publics knowledge from this generation, this has led his work to be suppressed by the public media and societies. William Mortensen can be considered a revolutionary photographer of this past century that gone unnoticed in many Hollywood touched up photos. He also could have been a scout for Hollywood, introducing young talent to the industry. It was not common for William to put a date on his work, typically other works are seen to be reused at a later date with other titles. This slide has a date and the image has not been seen used on another format. US Obscenity law: Full color nude film/ photography was considered obscene until 1952 Mutual decision in Joseph Burstyn, Inc v. Wilson, popularly known as the "Miracle Decision". Prior to 1952 color nudity on film was excluded from the first amendment right. This 35mm slide is signed by Mortensen and dated 42. It is likely the image was taken in 1942 and then printed out when color nude photography was legal to distribute in the 1950s by the company Photographic Industries in San Diego, California. Photographic Industries also distributed nude 35mm slides from Earl Macpherson models, ones used for his illustrative pinups. Macpherson would also been prohibited to release those images at the peak of his career due to the US Obscenity law, thus created illustrations out of them to be legal, and released these images in 1950s that were taken from prior dates. Having the year of image during the US obscenity law, name of photographer, and distribution company in USA makes this very rare. The Model: In 1942 Norma Jeane Mortensen was her original name prior to being known in Hollywood as Marilyn Monroe. Norma Jeane was emancipated this year and took change in her physical appearance during this time frame. These were the years during World War 2, her modeling career started in 1945. The Collection: The single 35mm slide titled "Competition" by William Mortensen is for sale. It is noted by a museum director, this collection is rare and not many has sold. In this collection, other models were taken around this time frame in nude (early 1940s), without identification. With extensive research, other models were identified as later to be, famous celebrities such as Jeanne Crain. The Jeanne Crain image later released as a 1943 metal chrome print titled "Salutations" and sold at Christies auction. Jeanne was not yet known as a celebrity (18 years old) at time of photo. William Mortensen also released a blue border Kodak ready mount collection which appears to be images from 1940 and prior (pre-dates the white border collection). The years of US obscenity has gone unnoticed since they were kept hidden until legal. The 35mm slide was scanned with a low end Kodak scanner to eBay and can be improved with a high end drum scanner. The condition is well preserved without any age spots. Macro Zoom: Here are 2 new images added taken with a macro lens. This is up close detail that shows the nose bridge line, mid section of nose the line disappears. It is met with a cross section line and nose bridge shadow is mis-aligned. This shows another nose tip was placed on top the original nose and blended in. If you compare images with Marilyn Monroe without makeup, the exact scar line on the nose is seen in the same place, this line gets more prominent and discolored as she ages and unique identification feature. I can provide images to compare facial landmarks, please request (ebay does not allow posts of images here that is not for sale). Timeline comparison- (please contact me for photo comparisons below) 1. William Mortensen was a master of distortion, lighting, and shadowing crossing the lines between photography and pictorial art. In the original image, you can see the notebook art on the floor being stretched out from the distortion. 2. The second image shows a horizontal compression where the notebook appears to be in closer format, Norma upper body and face is elongated. A series of vertical and horizontal distortion was made. Comparing other photos close to 1942, weight appearance was added to her body for an older look. Heavy make up was also used. 3. This pose holding the map is very similar look to the 1942 image with head tilted down fierce look. The image holding the map, based on the nose with line going across mid section, I am estimating it to be around mid 1950s when reconstruction took place again. This would make the two comparisons over a decade apart in age. The hairline matches exact with the natural hair curl direction. 4. This is a close up to compare the 2 facial features with a very close match. It appears on right Marilyn is wearing a nose guard tip to protect the newly constructed nose, which the new shape is seen in 1960s photos. If you look very closely on the left image, there is a cutout of another nose tip and placed over Marilyn's nose, follow the line along the left nose shadow and you there is a slight break in the shadow that is misaligned and skin color is a shade off. This was hard to see on a normal scale but seen better on the zoom in. 5. Circling nose area to zoom in on uncompressed. It must be viewed on a desktop monitor, the mobile phone compresses the image to a smaller size and cannot be seen. 6. The sixth image compares body structure and pose similarities from different years. 7. The seventh image compares a close up of the bone structure, face, hairline. Compare the chin, lips, eyes, eyebrows, face contour, hairline all matches up. 8. The eighth image is to compare the nose and eye lid discrepancies. If we compare the first and second image, take note of the cheek crease line that connects to the nose on first image. On the second image there is a gap from that line to the nose. This shows this area has been altered, the nose has been narrowed and elongated. This effect is also seen in the 1941 photo on #18 reference below. As Marilyn Monroe aged, the double eye lids became more pronounced and less seen in early years. If we compare the first image to fourth image, the eye shape is similar, the fourth image has heavy shadowing on the lower eyelid/ upper eye. The shadowing was filled in to cover the double eye lid, creating her earlier year mono-lid look. There is a unique character from the double eye lid connecting to the inner corner eye space, all images match to this feature. It is highly possible William Mortensen also worked with reconstructive surgeons in Hollywood to sketch images prior to surgery. 9. The ninth image shows both the knees had slice mark scars, one deeper than other, taken in 1943 Catalina. The 1942 image shows both the knees has an unusual circular shadow by the knees to cover up the touch up. Both the shadowing is not produced by the body or nearby object. Inside the shadow, discoloration can be seen to cover up the smudged scar marks. 10. Close up of the knees, the left knee shows the shadow and smudge marks. The right knee snows fine marker lines trying to blend the shadow into skin tone. 11. The image shows 1950s photos where the knee scar were not touched up and exposed. 12. The image shows the knees has been touched up and shows no scar marks. In the famous up-skirt photo her knees appear to be whiter in color, where all her untouched photos that exposes the scar is darker in color. William Mortensen was possibly the only touch up artist with this capability for Hollywood during this time. 13. The image compares the nose transformation from left to right. The first image is possibly around age 12, the nose cleft is large, off center, and one nostril larger. The second image does a correction where the cleft is thinner and nostril size is more symmetrical but bottom nose is slanted. The third image is from 1956 William Mortensen book but year taken is unknown, it shows the same slant angle. The fourth image is from 1941 Mortensen book with visual nose correction done. The fifth image shows the nose has been corrected and near symmetry. The sixth image shows upon a zoom the scar line in mid section where another nose tip has been overlayed on the real nose, blended in with shadow and highlight. A tiny misalignment can be seen on shadow edge. Eye shadowing created for a mono-lid look. 14. The image compares the right nipple shape to a match. 15. The center black and white image was from a William Mortensen book published in 1941, possibly around age 14 and wearing a wig. The left image is to compare the nose shape without smiling with head tilted slightly downward angle. The nose structure between these two images have similar resemblance. The photo on right is to compare the pupil off center position, collar bone position, and facial features. The dress worn is pretty similar but not exact. The black and white image has heavy shadowing around her nose and eyes to thin the nose shape and create a serious look. Many of Marilyn Monroe images captures her with smiling expression, the smile on face widens the nose shape. The third image on right has a double eye lid, in earlier photos Norma Jeane has not developed the eye lid yet, but both images match the inner eye corner. 16. The first image is a close up of Sam Shaw photo that shows a transformation in the nose, not symmetrical. The second black and white image identifies as the model used in 1941, 1942, 1956 by William Mortensen fierce style. This image comes from the 1956 book, How to pose the Model and shows the nostril lopsided. The third image is taken by Sam Shaw circa 1957 and shows the nostril lop sided, one larger than other. The fourth image shows the nose a little more symmetrical with a line mid section of nose indicating the work done. The black and white image shows heavy shadowing on upper eye creating a mono-lid, zooming in closely you can see the patch created from under the eye brow down to eye lash. Compare the eyes to fourth photo there is some inflammation seen and a near flat line spot created from the swelling. 17. The first black and white image was taken around 1940-41. There is heavy black shadowing on the edge of the nose with a white fine tip marker line going from inner nostril circling upward. The filled in shadow is used to cover the contour of the nose and reshape it. There is heavy shadowing on bridge of nose to slim it down and create a fierce look. The tip of the nose has a smudge mark to flatten it down. A combination of these effects changed the overall appearance of the nose. The second image compares the eye shape and eye position with one eye off center in similar position. The third image is from 1938 which shows the eye brows in lower position matching the black and white position. 18. Circling close up area to focus on marking and smudge. 19. This color photo of Norma Jeane on left, labeled on internet 1939, but I think it is taken earlier. It is questionable if reconstructive surgery took place but a slight line on nose is seen. At this age, the large nose cleft can be seen off center with the nostrils not symmetrical. The second image is from mid 1940s and can see the line in mid section of nose with correction of nostril and cleft being symmetrical. The third photo is from mid 1950s with the discoloration being more prominent and starting to grow unsymmetrical. The fourth image shows the nose correction but skin discoloration being more prominent. Conclusion- The images taken by William Mortensen shows a progression of this fierce look from c1940 / 1942 / 1956. In these 3 years editing can be seen on the nose and eyelids with details listed above. It would make sense William Mortensen worked closely with reconstructive surgeons to visualize new reconstructive models prior to application. These photos were repurposed in William's books educating other photography tutorial techniques without knowing who the actual model was. By comparing all 3 photos with Marilyn Monroes timeline photos, the proof lines up reconstructive surgery was done during these years. There is almost a 16 year difference from the first to last image taken but we can compare other Marilyn photos with the age progression and facial features to match. Only this 1942 35mm slide is captured in nude color with a signature and date. Reconstructive Surgery: Rhinoplasty dates back to the 18th century with well documented photos from the 1920s success. A few doctors specialized it during WW1 and WW2 that became disfigured from the war then became more mainstream in the 1950s. If the knee scaring on Norma Jeane is from grafting (deep slice marks) it indicated her reconstructive surgery began prior to 1943. The Relationship: Why do they have the same last name, are they related? Norma Jeane Mortensen has a mystery without revealing who her real father was. On her birth certificate, her family name, along with fathers name Edward Martin Mortenson were both spelt with a O in Mortenson without the E. Although further history shows both Edward Mortenson birth and death certificate along with her grandfather both is spelt with a E as in Mortensen on records. There was a typo on Norma Jeane birth certificate. It is noted both William and Norma Jeane attended the science church in Sherman Oaks. William is originally from Utah, worked as a corporate photographer in New York, until relocating to Hollywood and settling. It is unknown if they have a relationship although in 2022 a dna test shows her biological father was Charles Stanley Gifford. The Reproduction: There appears to be a reproduction poster made off this image, possibly a later date by a Los Angeles company Blue Rapids Print specializing in lithography posters. The poster is seen as a reverse image of this, the signature on top was enlightened and half cut off, a forged signature of William Mortensen is seen on the bottom (not original handwriting). The listing was advertised as, Marilyn Monroe. This reproduction practice has also been seen with other nude post cards printed possibly in 1960-80s which copied original slides from other earlier generation unknown models. Pictorialism- This editing technique gained momentum in the late 19th century and commonly seen on magic lantern slides with colored in photos. As camera technology advanced, it became more difficult to manually edit by hand throughout the generations. We can see an example with William Mortensen hand drawn editing on the 1941 black and white image compared to cut/ paste of another real image, lighting and shadowing blends, smudging combination on the 1942 color image. It is stated this was the last generation of Pictorialism after WW2 era as photographic societies pushed for pure raw unedited photos. A close up zoom can show the difficulty manually editing a high resolution color image from this generation and possibly phased out by kodachrome. The new discovery shows pictorialism had real world application benefits, one example is seen in cosmetic reconstructive surgery with Marilyn Monroe. Life after Death: Marilyn Monroe had a very interesting turn of events in her life and association with the Kennedys. Her mother worked for RKO studios, one of the most successful hollywood studies at time producing films like Citizen Kane. RKO was partly founded by JFK's father, which became a target to fail, and later bought out by Lucille Ball then Paramount. Monroe grew up as an orphan but in care of associates and groomed to be an actress from an early age. Monroe's mother was institutionalized and on paper recorded mental health issues which may have been induced by prescriptions. Many deaths occurred that surrounded the JFK and Monroe circle starting in 1962 related to drug poisoning. William Mortensen had also passed away in 1965. Monroe fortune has been inherited by her acting coach, who also had 2 wives pass away. He eventually passed away and his 3rd wife recreated a corporate brand for Monroe which lead her to be the richest dead person alive. The marketing made after Marilyn Monroe's death has led her legacy along with the many conspiracy theories and mysteries. Rarity: Since 1952 US obscenity law overturned with nudity on film, a boom of commercial reprints flooded the market in 35mm format. They were sold from magazine mail in orders, camera supply stores, and travel agencies /gift shops. A California museum director that specializes in William Mortensen noted that this 35mm slide is rare, not many were sold. It is unclear where Photographic Industries distributed the 35mm slides from. Please inquire about the best method of shipping to your location or pickup.
Price: 22200 USD
Location: Aiea, Hawaii
End Time: 2024-12-17T20:18:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Antique: No
Signed By: William Mortensen
Image Orientation: Portrait
Size: 35mm
Signed: Yes
Image Color: Color
Material: 35mm
Original/Licensed Reprint: Licensed Reprint
Subject: Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane, Norma Jeane Baker, Norma Jeane Mortensen, Norma Jeane Mortenson, US Obscenity, USA Obscenity, William Mortensen, nude
Vintage: Yes
Type: Photograph
Format: 35mm
Year of Production: 1942
Photographer: William Mortensen
Number of Photographs: 1
Style: color
Theme: Norma Jeane Mortensen
Features: dated signature
Time Period Manufactured: 1925-1949
Featured Person/Artist: Marilyn Monroe, William Mortensen, Norma Jeane, prohibition art
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
