Lot 54: TOM KELLEY (1914-1984) Marilyn Monroe, First Centerfold for Playboy, 1949

TOM KELLEY (1914-1984) Marilyn Monroe, First Centerfold for Playboy, 1949 Dye-bleach print, printed later, flush-mounted on board, initialed by Hugh Hefner and numbered ‘169/300’ in an unknown hand in silver ink on the recto; accompanied by Light Gallery’s Certificate of Authenticity. image/flush-mount 36 1/8 x 28 7/8in (91.7 x 73.4cm)

Provenance With Light Gallery, New York Kelley’s provocative image of Marilyn Monroe was the centerfold for Playboy’s first issue in December 1953 (she was also on the cover, clothed.) The work is initialed by Hugh Hefner, the magazine’s founder and editor-in-chief.