Digital platform OneOf has recently unveiled a collection of rare Marilyn Monroe prints for sale, with each print being authenticated on the Polygon blockchain. This exclusive release became a reality through a partnership with Globe Entertainment, a company renowned for its extensive archive of original photographs.
The company is more than a storehouse of over 25 million original negatives, transparencies, and vintage photographs — it boasts one of the most iconic collections globally. Many of these images have never been publicly showcased in mass media. The extensive archive encapsulates a diverse range of themes including pop culture, cinema, and sports, among others.
Marilyn Monroe prints that OneOf offers have been preserved, thanks in large part, to the makeup artist Kim Goodwin, who has worked with numerous renowned stars. Goodwin was especially adored among Monroe fans and managed to collect an array of rare, and sometimes extremely unique photos taken by some of the most famous photographers.
OneOf has listed 40 photographs (20x25 cm) for sale. Some of these come with an accompanying negative on the reverse. A unique aspect of this collection is that every photograph comes with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity (DCOA), housed on the Polygon blockchain. This certificate becomes visible upon scanning the NFC chip, also affixed on the back.
The sales process was divided into three phases:
May 9: The initial twenty photographs were available only for OnePass NFT holders, priced at $199 each.
May 11: The next batch of twenty photographs was exclusively accessible for members of the OneOf community, priced at $250 each.
May 18: Any unsold photographs were made available to all users at $300 apiece, without a specified end time. An additional photo was also raffled off among all participants.
A buyer first purchases a digital certificate (NFT), following which the platform dispatches the corresponding physical photograph. However, these tokens cannot be resold on OneOf's marketplace, as the company cannot ensure the shipment and verification of collectible physical items on the secondary market. While the certificate validates authenticity, it doesn't assure the ownership of the physical photograph.
Photograph examples from the collection. Source: OneOf's official website.
OneOf's partnership with Globe Entertainment isn't just a one-off. They've previously had successful sales of vintage photographs featuring actress Pamela Anderson, as well as British rock bands The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, all of which sold out completely. As such, we can expect more unique photographs to be released for sale in the future. This partnership provides an excellent example of the application of blockchain technology in the world of collectibles, offering individuals the ability to trade rare items without the worry of encountering counterfeits.
