Kelly, Grace - Circa 1960 - Signed 8 7/8 x 10 1/2 Book Page Photo
Grace Kelly Signed 8 7/8 x 10 ½ Book Page Photo
This was originally sold elaborately framed in October of 1999, via “Gotta Have It” in NYC. They had listed it as a Grace Kelly signed 8x10 photo (see scan) On the back of the frame was a COA from “Gotta Have It”, which will be included. (Note - We are selling this unframed due to shipping costs)
We acquired this directly from the person who originally purchased it in 1999.
Firstly, we removed it from the frame. I had a suspicion that it wasn’t an 8x10 photo. It more resembled a book photo.
It is in fact, an 8 7/8 x 10 ½ page removed from a circa 1960’s coffee table type book. The paper is aged with a slight toning, with matting tape remnants visible on verso, along the upper top edge. It is authentically signed in the lower right corner in black ink.
Kelly signed with the more uncommon small “e” in both “Grace” and “Kelly” which she sometimes would do.
The image is of Grace from an April 1955 photo shoot done by photographer Howell Contant in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This photo shoot marked the beginning of a lifelong professional and personal friendship between Kelly and the photographer, who later became the official photographer for the Monaco royal family.
Although more commonly found signed as “Grace de Monaco” after her 1956 marriage to Prince Rainer, she occasionally would use her “Grace Kelly” signature, post-marriage when signing items specifically related to her Hollywood films or for older fans.
This was probably signed at an event while serving as Princess Grace, sometime during the 1960’s. Princess Grace was famous her public appearances representing Monaco in causes that stressed philanthropy, art promotion, and children's welfare. She helped establish organizations like AMADE Mondiale and the Princess Grace Foundation in support of public art, while also revitalizing Monaco's cultural scene.