A makeup reference cast and archive photos used to create the prosthetics for John Merrick's (John Hurt) head, from the production of David Lynch's biopic drama The Elephant Man.

The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, but there was no category for makeup at the time. The intricate prosthetics created by Christopher Tucker was so admired that there was widespread criticism of the Academy for failing to honour his team's work. Such was the impact and influence of the film's makeup effects that the next year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences created an award category for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

The lot consists of a painted plaster cast of John Merrick's head from Tucker's production workshop; a plaster cast of John Hurt's head used in the production process; 40 Polaroids depicting the creative and experimental process behind assembling the unique shape of Merrick's skull, teeth, face and jaw (one of which shows Tucker in his workshop face to face with a plaster cast); 16 large photographs, 10 of which depict headshots of Merrick, and six depicting Tucker working on and maintaining the prosthetics in his studio. This plaster head cast can be seen in the images, between Tucker and Hurt in the workshop. The photographs provide a rare glimpse behind the scenes of The Elephant Man and Tucker himself has stated that the colour photographs are the only ones of the Elephant Man that exist.

The item shows minimal signs of wear and aging, and the 16 large photos and Polaroids show printer and exposure faults. However, the plaster makeup reference remains in very good condition. Dimensions (cast): 76 cm x 61 cm x 50 cm (29 3/4" x 24" x 19 3/4"); (large photos): 61 cm x 51 cm (24" x 20"); (medium photos): 21 cm x 25 cm (8 1/2" x 9 3/4")

£5,000 - 7,000 M