Behold

Can You Afford a “Bargain” Print of the Iconic Afghan Girl?

Behold is Slate’s brand new photo blog. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @beholdphotos and on Tumblr. Find out more about what this space is all about here.

How much does it cost to own a print of Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl or Terry O’Neill’s Bridget Bardot?

Steve McCurry. Sharbat Gula, Afghan Girl, Pakistan, 1984
Sharbat Gula, Afghan Girl, Pakistan, 1984. Estimated between $9,588 and $12,784.

Photograph by Steve McCurry. Courtesy Christie’s.

At least $9,588 and $6,392 respectively. On Halloween, Christie’s London house will auction off 140 lots of photographs taken by 20th century masters. These starting prices, at least in art world terms, are actually considered low.

Forgo a month (or two) of rent and bid on Andre De Dienes’ portrait of Marilyn Monroe frolicking on the beach (starting bid $1,918) or Will McBride’s Andy Warhol (starting bid $1,598). No, not Craigslist-pricing, but “proletarian” art collecting-inspiration Herb and Dorothy Vogel didn’t amass their collection without sacrifice. (In case you are unfamiliar, the couple built one of the greatest modern art collections in the United States on their salaries as a librarian and a postal worker. They are inspiration for many a financially strapped, art-craving young person like me.) Take a look at a selection of other great works up for auction and prepare to stop eating lunch for at least three months.

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Terry O'Neill_Brigitte Bardot, 1971. Estimated between $6,392 and $9,588.
Brigitte Bardot, 1971. Estimated between $6,392 and $9,588.

Terry O’Neill. Courtesy Christie’s.

Andre De Dienes. Marilyn Monroe, Tobay Beach, Long Island, 1949.
Marilyn Monroe, Tobay Beach, Long Island, 1949. One of a lot of two, estimated together between $1,918 and $2,876.

Andre De Dienes. Courtesy Christie’s.

Sid Averey. Elizabeth Taylor sunning herself on the set of 'Giant', Marfa, Texas, 1955
Elizabeth Taylor sunning herself on the set of ‘Giant’, Marfa, Texas, 1955. Estimated between $1,278 and $1,918.

Sid Averey. Courtesy Christie’s.

Philip-Lorca Dicorcia_New York, 1993. Estimated between $12,784 and $19,176.
New York, 1993. Estimated between $12,784 and $19,176.

Philip-Lorca Dicorcia. Courtesy Christie’s.

Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin with Lunar Module reflected in his visor, Apollo 11, July 1969. Estimated $6,392 to  $9,588.

Neil Armstrong for NASA. Courtesy Christie’s.

Will McBride. Andy Warhol, New York, circa 1970
Andy Warhol, New York, circa 1970. Estimated between $1,598 to $2,397.

Will McBride. Courtesy Christie’s.

Will McBride. Andy Warhol, New York, circa 1970
Ai Weiwei’s Shanghai Studio diptych, 2011. Estimated between $1,598 and $2,397.

Ai Wei Wei. Courtesy Christie’s.

Dmitri Baltermants Grief, 1942
Grief, 1942. Estimated between $6,392 and $9,588.

Dmitri Baltermants. Courtesy Christie’s.

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Behold is Slate’s brand new photo blog. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @beholdphotos and on Tumblr. Find out more about what this space is all about here.