Now, This Is Just Between You And Me

Full view of pastel

The artist's signature

Framed in a vintage museum quality gold gesso frame

Our Gallery previously sold this pastel in April of 2015; we are very pleased to offer it again for sale!

Grapefruit Moon Gallery is delighted to offer one of the finest Earl Moran pastels ever available for sale. Titled Now, This Is Just Between You And Me, this showcases the young Blue Book Agency pin-up model Norma Jeane Baker, who in just a short few years transformed herself into Hollywood's most famous platinum blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe. Recently resurfaced photographs taken of Monroe as a model posed for Moran's Brown & Bigelow calendar commissions from the years of 1946-1948 have been the subject of recent newspaper articles and tremendous internet buzz. This rare, surving, published pastel is in pristine condition and is framed in a gorgeous, vintage, museum quality, carved wood frame that only enhances the allure and beauty.

This image first appeared in the 1940s as a mutoscope card with the title Now, This Is Just Between You And Me. It also appeared as the September illustration of the 1948 Earl Moran 12-page Calendar Nifty Numbers. The tantalizing quip reads: My reputation's reached afar - I always keep 'em guessing - But the call charge needn't stop us if your call is really pressing.... A mutoscope card is included in the sale.

Nifty Numbers Calendar with image as the September page (not included in sale)

Gentlemen Prefer Bonds advertising tablet (not included in sale)

Published Brown & Bigelow mutoscope card (included in sale)

Frame profile corner view

Below are early images of Marilyn Monroe from her modeling days for The Blue Book Model Agency as posed for Earl Moran and his numerous 1940s Brown & Bigelow calendar commissions. Several appear to be reference shots from a sitting for this pastel.