UPDATE: Be sure to read the comment below, from author Lee Raskin (he wrote James Dean: At Speed), as he offers very valuable insight into the authenticity of this photo, who took it and where. The information we used for this post was taken directly from the auction house’s listing. So, as we say at the end of our post, be sure to do your homework.
The picture below, taken on September 30, 1955 by photographer Sanford Roth is thought to be the last known image of Dean taken just hours before the fatal accident that took his life later that day.
Dean with mechanic Rolf Wutherich. Picture on September 30, 1955
The photogroapher, Sanford Roth, first met Dean on the set of the film “Giant”. On the day of Dean’s death, Roth was following Dean to do a photo feature on a race he was attending that day. He captured this shot in LA just before they left to head north for the road races in Salinas. Printed from the original original contact sheet, the picture is mounted to a foam core, measures 11 by 14 inches and has an estimate of $400 to $600.
We always thought the picture above of Dean, getting gas, was his last. However, given that he was gassing up in the shot below and ready to roll in the shot above, it’s possible we’ve had it wrong all these years. Either way, be sure to do your homework.
Bidding can be done online or in person. If you’re interested in learning more or want to take a shot at adding this iconic picture to your Porsche memorabilia visit the auction site directly.
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