“After all, life has taught us to control and disguise our facial expressions, but it has not taught us to control our jumps. I wanted to see famous people reveal in a jump their ambition or their lack of it, their self-importance or their insecurity, and many other traits.”
One couple that took part in a 'jumpology' photo shoot in 1956 was Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and husband the former King Edward VIII.
This photo can be viewed on the Phillipe Halsman website.
A more formal photo of the couple standing together from this occasion is coming up at auction at Historical & Collectable.
“Last attempt”
The silver gelatine image is signed by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in blue biro and comes with a letter from the duchess to the recipient, Sir Daniel Davies, who was royal physician to King George VI. The photo is in a burgundy leather frame embossed in gilt by Saintyves of Paris, measuring 9 x 7in (23 x 17.5cm).
The lot comes with two embossed handwritten cards in biro from the duchess dated May 7, commenting on the enclosed 'small photograph' and their preference for avoiding photography at their ‘certain or uncertain age’. The note also refers to this as being ‘their last attempt in New York in October’.
The lot will be offered with an estimate of £500-1500 at Historical & Collectables' November 17 sale.
