This lot will be auctioned on Thursday, April 30th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM (BST) / 10:00 AM (EDT) / 7:00AM (PDT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace.

An original unairbrushed proof print for the iconic cover of David Bowie's album Aladdin Sane, photographed by Brian Duffy at his studio near Primrose Hill in January 1973. Raw and unedited, the photograph offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of the most recognisable images in rock history.

Described by The Guardian's Mick McCann as "the Mona Lisa of album covers," Aladdin Sane recently set a record when the original cover artwork sold for $497,000, making it the most expensive album cover ever sold at auction.

This image represents a work-in-progress created before the photograph was passed to airbrush artist Philip Castle for final embellishment. The now-famous lightning bolt make-up was applied in the studio by make-up artist Pierre La Roche, who filled in the design (originally outlined by Duffy) using lipstick. During post-production, Castle repositioned the tip of the lightning bolt beneath Bowie's right eye to align with the blue stripe, enhanced the pale, white-washed torso, and, under Duffy's direction, added the distinctive water droplet on Bowie's collarbone.

The top of the print features writing in red pencil, which is mostly legible and reads: "8508 Proof 30.1.73. 3-1-1 01. (..) cyan contrast". There is some handling wear, with several hard creases (one of which encroaches on Bowie's left arm), as well as a few small tears around the border. There are a few small scattered blemishes, and some surface paper loss on the top border. The main image is largely unaffected. Dimensions: 54 cm x 42 cm (21.25" x 16.5")

Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.

Estimate: £25,000 - 50,000 M ARR