A rare one-off item of film memorabilia, this is the famous pin up photo of Betty Grable. Under this is a card that is personally signed by the legendary actress.

The late Betty Grable (1916-1973) became 20th Century Fox's top star. She appeared in Technicolor movies such as Down Argentine Way (1940), Moon Over Miami (1941) (both with Don Ameche), Springtime in The Rockies (1942), Coney Island (1943) with George Montgomery, Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943) with Robert Young, Pin Up Girl (1944), Diamond Horseshoe (1945) with Dick Haymes, The Dolly Sisters (1945) with John Payne and June Haver.

It was during her reign as box office queen in 1943 that Grable posed for her famous pinup photo, which (along with her movies) soon became escapist fare among GIs fighting in World War II.

It was rumoured that the particular pose and angle were chosen to hide the fact that Grable was pregnant at the time of the photo.

Starting in 1942, Grable was named in the top 10 box office draws for 10 consecutive years. For eight of those ten years, she was the top female-box office star.

In 1943, she was named the Number 1 movie box office attraction. By the end of the 1940’s Grable was the highest-paid female star in Hollywood, receiving 300,000 dollars a year.

During the 1940s and early 1950s, thirty Fox films were among the top ten highest grossing films of the year. Of those, ten were movies featuring Grable; eight of those movies were Fox's highest grossing pictures for their respective years.

This one-off item has been recently framed in a black surround, in its original inset mount and measures an impressive 37cm x 47cm.

Originally part of a private collection, it has been fully authenticated and is a highly collectable item of Betty Grable Memorabilia.

Certificate of authenticity:

As part of our authenticity program we offer a Certificate free of charge. This Certificate forms part of your guarantee. Please enter the full name of the owner or recipient exactly how it should appear on the certificate during checkout.