Nation | By Erin Skarda | @ErinLeighSkarda | September 28, 2011 | +

Never Before Seen Images from Marilyn Monroe’s First Photo Shoot Up for Auction

AP Photo / Julien's Auctions, Joseph Jasgur

Before Marilyn Monroe became an icon of American fashion and cinema, 20-year-old Norma Jeane Dougherty started her career by posing for Blue Book Modeling Agency. Now, unseen images of the bombshell before she was a blonde are up for auction, along with an unexpected bonus.

Meet Norma Jeane

This collection of photos is hitting the auction block following a nearly two-decade court battle with photographer Joseph Jasgur, who snapped the pictures in 1946. According to the Associated Press, a bankruptcy judge in Florida ruled just last week that the images will be sold at an auction to settle Jasgur's debts.

... /> (PHOTOS: 85 Rare Images of Marilyn Monroe)

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A Rare and Significant Collection

The auction of these images is particularly special because the package includes several model release forms that Monroe, known then as Norma Jeane Dougherty, signed in Hollywood. Even more importantly, the purchase of this collection includes the photos' negatives and original copyrights, so the buyer will be able to sell and ... distribute the pictures — which are also credited as being from the star's first-ever photo shoot — for what's likely to be a significant profit.

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The First of Many Photo Shoots

At the time these photos were taken, Norma Jeane Dougherty was working at the Radioplane Munitions Factory when she was approached by a photographer named David Conover. He snapped a picture of the 20-year-old for a Yank magazine article and encouraged her to apply to the Blue Book Modeling Agency. She did, quickly becoming one ... of the agency's most successful models. Shortly thereafter, she was signed to a standard six-month contract at 20th Century Fox and took on the stage name of Marilyn Monroe.

(MORE: Marilyn Monroe's 'Subway Dress' Auctions for $5.6 Million)

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An Invaluable Investment

With a fresh-faced, all-American look and brunette curls, this photographic collection showcases a side of Marilyn Monroe that was not often seen by the public. For that reason alone, the series is highly unique. The opportunity for the buyer to own the copyright is just a bonus. "It's really hard to put a value on something ... like this, because it's rare and not just for the collector," Darren Julian, chief of Julien's Auctions told the AP. "These are probably the most significant images of Marilyn that are available because they're so early, from the first part of her career, and it's rare to have images like these where you're selling the rights, too."

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Let the Bidding Begin

These images, along with the negatives, copyrights and signed model release forms, will be sold at Julien's Auctions during the company's "Icons and Idols" auction. If you think you have the bucks to enter the bidding war, the auction will take place December 2 to 4 in Beverly Hills. Good luck, and may Marilyn be with you.

... /> (LIST: The Top 10 Most Expensive Auction Items)

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