DENNIS STOCK (1928-2010) James Dean: A Memorial Portfolio. Complete with 10 photographs of the charismatic star. Silver prints, the images measuring 12 1/4x8 1/4 inches (31.1x21 cm.), and the reverse, the sheets 14x11 inches (35.6x28 cm.), with Stock's initials and edition notation 7/125, in pencil, and his hand stamp, on verso; each is matted, with Stock's signature and edition notation, in pencil, on the overmat. Tall folio-sized leatherette clamshell box; with an introduction by Dennis Stock and a chronology of Dean's career (2 copies); contents crisp and clean. ONE OF 125 COPIES. Penguin Books and The Viking Press, 1955; printed 1978
Gifted by the Photographer; to a Private Collector, in 1980.
Dean, a handsome hearthrob and bonafide star, was killed in a car crash in 1955, the year Magnum photographer Dennis Stock met the actor and produced a story about him for LIFE magazine. The portfolio was issued as a tribute to Dean. Despite the large edition size, apparently fewer than 20 copies were actually sold.
A printed sheet lists a number of Dean's quotes including: "There is a level somewhere where everything is solid and important. I'm going to reach up there and find a place I know is pretty close to perfect."
