Marilyn Monroe's first photoshoot: Superstar's early modelling photos revealed after bankruptcy judge orders sale

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:57 AM on 24th September 2011

Copyrights and images from Marilyn Monroe's first photo shoot are hitting the auction block.
A bankruptcy judge in Florida ruled earlier this week that photos taken in 1946 of Norma Jeane Dougherty - who went on to become the iconic Monroe - will be sold at auction to settle the debts of the photographer.
Joseph Jasgur's photos, negatives and image copyrights will be sold in December by Julien's Auctions. The collection also includes several model-release forms Miss Dougherty signed for Mr Jasgur in Hollywood.

Natural beauty: A March, 1946 image taken by photographer Joseph Jasgur shows a young and bright Norma Jean Dougherty, who we all came to know as Marilyn Monroe

Darren Julien, chief of Julien's Auctions, said the photos have not been widely distributed and the collection has been locked up in court battles for more than two decades.

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He said the sale is significant because 'it's very rare to see something where you can buy a copyrighted image of (Monroe), especially of her first photo shoot.'

Stars in her eyes: Joseph Jasgur was hired by the Blue Book modelling agency to shoot the then-unknown Norma Jeane

Rare finds: The photos include a black-and-white image of the future Ms Monroe in a plaid button-down shirt, hands planted playfully on her hips

Invaluable: The sale is especially significant as the late movie star's first modelling photoshoot

'It's really hard to put a value on something like this, because it's rare and not just for the collector,' he said, noting that the owner of the copyrights will be able to sell and distribute the images.
'These are probably the most significant images of Marilyn that are available because they're so early, from the first part of her career, and it's rare to have images like these where you're selling the rights, too.'

Up for bidding: Mr Jasgur's photos, negatives and image copyrights will be sold in December by Julien's Auctions

Signed, Norma Jeane Dougherty: Paperwork between the ingénue and photographer is also for sale

He declined to estimate how much the images and copyrights will sell for at the company's 'Icons & Idols' auction, to be held December 2-4 in Beverly Hills, California.
The photos include a black-and-white headshot of the future Ms Monroe wearing a jaunty beret, another of her in a halter top and a colour picture of her smiling in a striped bikini on the sand.
Mr Julien said Mr Jasgur was hired by the Blue Book modelling agency to shoot the then-unknown Norma Jeane.

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