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Original glossy 8 x 10 contact sheet proof print containing 30 different images of Prince Rogers Nelson taken by photographer Robert Whitman in 1977, which depicts the unknown musician walking around downtown Minneapolis and posing in front of the city’s famous five-story mural, 'The Music Wall.' The proof’s front is initialed by Whitman in the lower border in silver ink, “RW 1977,” bears two of his copyright stamps, and is annotated in grease pencil, with one full-length image of Prince circled in orange. The reverse bears “This Paper Manufactured by Kodak” watermarks, two more Whitman copyright stamps, and is annotated as “C-6” and “RW5B,’ with a date of March 7, 1977. In fine condition. Images from 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.
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, 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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