Original glossy 8.5 x 11 contact sheet proof print containing 35 different images of unknown musician Prince Rogers Nelson, which were taken by photographer Robert Whitman in 1977 at the latter’s studio in the Kemp Ice Cream building in Minneapolis. Seven of the images show Prince with his large afro in shirtless up-close poses, while the rest depict him dressed in full-length stances. The proof is initialed by Whitman in silver ink, “RW 1977,” and bears his copyright stamp, with three images circled or boxed in red and orange grease pencil. The reverse bears “This Paper Manufactured by Kodak” watermarks, a Whitman copyright stamp, and is identified as “C5.” In fine condition, with a small mark to the upper left corner.
Another proof of this contact sheet can be found in Whitman’s 2017 limited edition photography book Prince: Pre Fame, a 40th-anniversary visual celebration of these iconic Minneapolis portrait sessions, which identifies these images as deriving from ‘Roll 8.’
These images were captured during one of three separate photo shoots that photographer Robert Whitman made of Prince in 1977 for an introductory press kit aimed at potential record companies. The resulting photos, Prince’s first with a professional photographer, mark an instrumental moment in his career. Whitman photographed Prince in his Minneapolis studio, at manager Owen Husney’s Linden Hills Boulevard home, and on the streets of downtown Minneapolis, including in front of 'The Music Wall' mural painted on the side of the Schmitt Music store. Only 15 copies of the press kit were ever produced, and the photographs from these sessions have rarely been seen.
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