Vintage original 1954 'salesman sample' calendar by Champion featuring a large color image of a nude Marilyn Monroe, 9.75 x 6.75, with text to right side and lower border reading: “Posed by Marilyn Monroe” and “Golden Dreams.” Below the classic "Golden Dreams" shot is another classic color shot entitled "Caught Short." Also includes a separate alternate nude pose, dubbed "Entrancing," with a lace overprint. The calendar's mount reads, "Your Advertisement Here," and makes note of the different options: "With choice of two Marilyn Monroe Pictures." In fine condition, with a small stain to the left edge, and staining to the top of the calendar from its original adhesive.
On May 27, 1949, in Los Angeles, Monroe posed nude for Tom Kelly on red velvet and was paid $50 for the sitting, signing the release on the photos as ‘Mona Monroe.’ In February 1952, two years after the original calendar was published, a wire service reporter, Ailene Mosby, discovered that the featured beauty was none other than Marilyn Monroe and a scandal broke. Fox Studio executives panicked and called Monroe in to ask if it was indeed her. Monroe affirmed that it was and soon after released a press statement explaining that she posed nude because she was penniless and needed to pay her bills. Her fan mail increased dramatically after her confession, and her latest movie, Clash by Night, opened to big business.
