In 1946, by age 20, Norma Jeane Baker, who began modeling after being discovered in an airplane factory during WWII, had already appeared on 33 magazine covers. This lead to an opportunity for a screen test at Twentieth-Century Fox that resulted in a one year contract, upon which she signed her new name for the first time, Marilyn Monroe. Her contract was not renewed, but she signed a new contract with Columbia that produced no roles or parts until she had an affair with Johnny Hyde, Executive Vice President of the William Morris Agency. A cameo appearance in Love Happy, a Marx Brothers comedy, was followed by bit parts in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve, but Hyde died in 1950, effectively ending her relationship with Columbia. She went to Famous Artists who got her a 7-year contract, once again, with Fox. By the end of 1951, her popularity has exploded and more than 2000 fan letters per week were pouring into the studios resulting in her being awarded the starring roles in two movies, Don't Bother To Knock and Monkey Business that were both released in 1952. It was during Monkey Business photographer Frank Powolny did a publicity shoot of Marilyn. This sepia-toned photograph is from that shoot and is one of the most iconic images of Marilyn Monroe ever produced. It is not known how many of this photo were sent to fans, but so many that most were not actually signed by her, but by her assistants or studio secretaries. This one was sent to Dorothy Hashimoto-Akari of San Jose, CA. and is signed, To Dorothy Warmest Regards Marilyn Monroe. The same image, in a very similar hand, was signed by Marilyn and sent to Joe Dimaggio. Did the most iconic Hollywood legend personally sign this one, or is it like most, signed with a Secretarial Signature? Probably the later. C. 1952. 10 x 8 inches