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#PP-20 - "Sir Cecil Beaton - the Royal photographer" - an original photograph by Paul Paree - Annotated and signed on the back by Paul Paree - 1970 - $2500.00 This is an original photograph by Paul Paree, Los Angeles photographer and artist who, with his partner Paul Martin Gerdes, was a major contributor to the Los Angeles Times "HOME" magazine in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980's. Their photographs were also featured in other magazines, including VOGUE, and in exhibitions at the California Museum of Science and Industry and other museums and galleries in the South land. Their work has found honored places in the homes of some of Hollywood and L.A.'s best known families, in addition to residing in several museums, including the Getty Museum in West Los Angeles! At auction, several of their photos have sold at figures in the $1500-2000+ range at Butterfield's in San Francisco! This particular photo was done in their studios in 1970, as attested to by Paul, in pencil, on the back of the photo, followed by his signature. As Paul relates at the bottom of the photo back... "This is the only print we made of this picture. It was printed by Paul Gerdes in 1970. It was published in an article about our work in photography L.A. Times HOME magazine in 1972." The photograph measures 7.5" x 9.75", and is mounted on a piece of artist board, and then backed with a piece of unprinted photographic paper, upon which Paul has written his comments about the photo and its history. The condition is NearFine, with a half-dozen very slight ripples at the right-hand edge. The mat board is bumped and rubbed at the edges, but this should largely, if not completely disappear upon framing. A 1997 letter which accompanied the gift of this photograph to my wife and I, and it will be included as part of the provenance of this piece. In the letter Paul states "When this was taken we had just worked with Cecil photographing Mae West in her apartment on Rossmore (Ave.) - the Ravenswood, with the famous mirrored bedroom! We photographed Cecil there too - and we did a wonderful picture of him photographing Mae West - but that print doesn't exist any more." There's much more about Sir Cecil this 1.5-page letter, but too much to include all of it here. As with everything we offer, we unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of this piece and the provenance that will accompany it.