Norman Solomon & Helmut Newton
In 1983 Norman Solomon traveled frequently between Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London and Paris and took up residence in Paris on the Blvd St. Germain where he worked on the development of an innovative television project, World Access Television, dba You-TV, for introduction to American audiences. During his days and nights in Paris he mingled and socialized with mostly European friends one of whom was John Dunnicliff, a Brit who had become the Paris Agent for many top photographers including David Hamilton and Helmut Newton.
At this time Norman was dating a German photographic model and cavorting with friends, including Mr. Dunnicliff. He enjoyed life in the City of Light and also traveling. In early 1984, via an introduction by Mr. Dunnicliff and in the company of his German girlfriend, Norman was introduced to Helmut Newton. Although knowing little about photography, after a few encounters with Mr. Newton, Norman introduced an idea to Helmut that he produce a boxed ‘Portfolio Collection’ of his best works to date in addition to him just printing individual prints of his work in a variety of sizes. Helmet embraced the idea and commissioned Norman to raise the funds and produce the collection.
Up to that time, John Dunnicliff managed Helmut Newton’s bookings and introduced Helmet’s works to a variety of publications and individual clients, via showing Helmut’s prints and transparencies to interested parties. At that time, Mr. Newton, with Mr. Dunnicliff's help, established himself as one of the world's most coveted photographers with frequent stories and photographs appearing in Vogue magazines internationally and with clients such as Yves St. Laurent.
Although photography was not as yet considered a valuable collectable, Mr. Solomon raised the funds to produce a boxed edition of seventy-five collections consisting of forty-five, 16×20 signed, silver gelatin Helmut Newton prints, titled ‘Private Property.’ Via a formal agreement with Helmut, Norman was granted the exclusive opportunity to sell the Private Property boxed collections that Mr. Newton kept in storage at Sotheby’s. Helmut Newton released the 45 signed print, boxed collections to Norman for $7,000 per box that Norman introduced at $13,500 in 1985. Norman and John Dunnicliff were each also promised a collection plus Norman was to receive 10 ‘Artists Proof’ collections to be used promotionally and as exhibition sets/prints.