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Shortly after Michael Ovitz launched his post-Disney comeback through Artists Management Group, the agency began amassing a noteworthy photography collection. Of course, comebacks don't always live up to their advance billing. Ovitz eventually sold out to The Firm, and now ninety works from the AMG collection are up for auction this month at the Phillips de Pury & Company autumn photography sale in New York. This Richard Avedon picture of Bob Dylan from 1963 is one of the photos on the block, but it's not one of the more valuable. There's an Avedon of Marilyn Monroe with a higher estimated value, the famous shot of Monroe's skirt blowing up on the set The Seven Year Itch, and many others that will attract serious collectors:
Key works to be offered in the sale include Richard Avedon's distinctively New York portrait of Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan, Singer, 132nd Street and FDR Drive, Harlem, New York, November 4, 1963 ($20,000 - $30,000); William Eggleston's sly but passionate essay on Elvis' mecca, William Eggleston's Graceland ($100,000 - $150,000) published in 1981 in an edition of only 31 copies; Irving Penn's Rock Groups, San Francisco, 1967 ($12,000 - $18,000) and Garry Winogrand's Muhammed Ali - Oscar Bonavena Press Conference, New York, 1970 ($7,000 - $9,000).
The AMG collection is lots 24-36 and 202-281 here. Not included among the former Ovitz trophies is a certain Annie Leibovitz image for Rolling Stone that is one of the most recognizable and iconic pop culture photographs in the auction. And it's cheap. Sneak preview after the jump.
Photo: Richard Avedon/Phillips de Pury & Company
