Bill  Ray, Elvis Presley

Silver print, sepia toned, 1958, height - 20 in, width - 16 in., signed, in ink, lower right margin. Estimate: from $1,500 to $2,500

Note: This photograph was taken in Brooklyn, New York, as Private Elvis Presley departed for Germany.

Bill  Ray, Marlon Brando and Paul Newman

silver gelatin print, 1963, height - 14 in, width - 11 in., signed, in ink, lower right margin. Estimate: from $1,000 to $2,000

Notes: This photograph was taken in Sacramento during a protest for equal opportunities on assignment for "Life Magazine".

Bill Ray was a staff photographer for "Life" magazine, working out of its bureaus in New York, Paris, and Beverly Hills, covering the great events and personalities of the day. Perhaps his most famous photograph is the shot of Marilyn Monroe from behind singing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Since "Life" ceased publication, his work has appeared in numerous publications, including Newsweek (with almost 50 covers), Smithsonian, Fortune, and others. His work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums, including the International Center for Photography, New York, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

www.artnet.com/AUCTIONS. Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 2:00 PM EST