Marilyn Monroe Original Photo 1945 The Leader Magazine Cover

We are proud to present  for auction one of the most rarest of original photos offered  in the last 50 years.  This is the  original 1st generation -TYPE I- photo of Marilyn Monroe used for the copy of the April 13 1946 issue of Leader Magazine, a British publication (Used for her first American cover).  The front cover features Marilyn Monroe in her first ever solo magazine cover appearance. It is only her second magazine cover appearance of any kind and this one is rarer than the first!

The photo was originally done circa 1945. After Norma Jean’s modeling agency sent her over to De Dienes, he was so enamoured by her that he took her on as his Muse. He paid Norma Jean $200 to travel around the world with him. During this trip he shot photos of her as stock photos. They became life long friends and for a short period of time became her fiance. He then, marketed these photos to several different magazine outlets. For this particular photo, the 1945 stamping indicates that it was used for Leader Magazine as a stock photo first.

In the bottom left hand corner we have written “0223-c” which means that this was De Dienes file copy. Rather than rifle through negatives, he would have printed this photo, so he could reference it easily.

The photo has original re-touching.  They would retouch photos back then as we would photo shop photos today. So this is appropriate for the era.

n Monroe Leader Magazine April 13 1946 issue alone sold for $1,350.00 and the last sale was in 2007. This price was just for the magazine and they are difficult to find. This original striking image photo of an early picture of Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe) measures  9″ x 11″ in size. On the reverse is written “Norma Jean” 1945 in vintage ink. 1945 is when this photo was created.  Photo credit is stamped Andre de Dienes , 1401 Sunset Plaza Drive, Hollywood, California 90069. Andre de Dienes was the first professional photographer to work with Monroe when she was known simply as Norma Jean. It is further stamped on the back that this photograph is on loan for one reproduction right only and is to be returned after use. This is the early years of Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood and was used for the cover of the Leader Magazine. The rarity and historic significance cannot be understated on this historical photo.