Vintage matte-finish 10.75 x 13.75 full-length photo of Harlow holding a riding crop as she stands in the doorway of her home, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my Darling Babe and Barney—I love you both forever and ever, Just Jean.” In 1932, following her rise to fame in Howard Hughes’ 1930 war epic Hell’s Angels, Harlow moved into this home, situated on Club View Drive in Beverly Hills, with her mother, “Mama” Jean, and stepfather, Marino Bello. The house in the photo is also where Harlow married MGM Studios exec Paul Bern on July 2, 1932, and where she returned following his suicide two months later, after leaving the “dream house” that had been his wedding gift to her. In 1934, she moved into the distinctive, all-white mansion that had been built by the Bellos with Jean’s money. The image was likely taken by a studio photographer from MGM, where Harlow was under contract from April 1932. In good condition, with a hint of soiling and light corner bends. A small loss to the lower right corner has been professionally restored. In addition, the signature area has been “cleaned” (resulting in faint abrasion to emulsion) and Harlow’s writing darkened by overwriting the faded original inscription and signature in black ink. R&R COA.
