Description

Catfight – Female Bikini Mud Wrestlers, Hollywood Tropicana, Los Angeles 1985 – Hexaptych (Set of 6 prints).

Please contact patrick@arthursteel.co.uk – if you only require individual prints, instead of the full set of 6.

Arthur recalls:
“I was in Los Angeles with the British cricketer Ian Botham, as he was hoping to forge a career as a Hollywood actor and the newspaper had asked me to tag along in order to create a few pictures to accompany the story. Having already spent a lot of time with Ian on the trip, on the last evening I decided to venture out on my own and happened to stumble across a famous nightclub called the ‘Hollywood Tropicana’.

In the centre of the nightclub there was a slippery pool of mud and two female combatants wrestling each other. I had mentioned to the doormen that I was from the British Press and to my surprise they ushered me in; along with my camera and allocated me a front row seat. The set of pictures have never been seen, until now (Nov 2022), 37 years later.”

✓ Exceptionally rare limited edition photographs.
✓ Direct from the Artist.
✓ Non licensable images.
✓ Printed by Metro Imaging.
✓ Hand signed by Arthur Steel.
✓ Video of Arthur Steel signing your print(s).
✓ Certificate of Authenticity.
✓ Free worldwide delivery.
✓ Tracked & signed for delivery.
✓ Paypal Pro protection.
✓ Secure SSL payment protection.
✓ 14 day money back guarantee.
✓ Excellent customer care and service.

Black & White Film Grain:
Arthur’s photographs were all captured on 35mm film, a fast medium grain film called ‘Kodak Tri-x Pan’ with an ISO speed of 400. It enabled photojournalists at the time to shoot in relatively low light conditions. Nowadays, we are used to grainless images even at an iso of 800 and above. The grain effect adds to the character and charm of the images and dates the pieces accordingly. Arthur’s images cannot to be compared to todays grainless digital technology.

Signed prints Vs. Unsigned prints:
Most artists sign their prints at the bottom right corner of the piece. By signing a print, the artist approves it, and, claims it as his or her own work. Signatures count for a lot on the print market since they add to the artwork’s authenticity. The value of a signed print is higher than the value of an unsigned print, so if you have a choice, it’s always better to acquire signed prints.

Limited editions Vs. Open editions:
As a rule limited edition prints are valued more highly and therefore are priced higher than the readily available open edition prints. Also, limited edition prints are collectible, which is not the case for open edition prints. Due to their scarcity, limited edition prints are prized, and collectors and art lovers will seek to create a collection of the same.

Images unearthed: November 2022 (37 years later).
Camera: Leica 35mm.
Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan.
Location: Hollywood Tropicana, Los Angeles.
Year: 1985.
Collection: Platinum.
Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital.
Printed by: Metro Imaging.
Limited Editions:
All prints are limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold.
Set of six 50″ prints / edition of 3
Set of six 40″ prints / edition of 5
Set of six 30″ prints / edition of 5
Set of six 20″ prints / edition of 10
Set of six 12″ prints / edition of 10
Bespoke: All prints are bespoke and printed to order.
Presentation: Sets of 12 and 20 inch prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper, supplied flat in an acid free 4mm 3-ply box for delivery and storage purposes. The boxes are ideal for gift wrapping. The larger sets of 30, 40, 50 inch prints are also titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery.
Optional Dry Mounting for clients within the UK: Professional Dry Mounting of the larger print sizes can be arranged at no extra cost, the print would then be perfectly flat and ready for framing. However, this makes the overall size bulky and too fragile to send overseas. So, if you reside abroad, it is best that we send a rolled print directly to your chosen framer and you entrust them to carry out the works for you. We recommend that you check that your framer is fully insured as we cannot take responsibility for any damages that may occur during the mounting/framing process.
Delivery: Metro Imaging based in Central London use an experienced shipping service to deliver the boxed and rolled prints. Metro take great care in ensuring the prints are very well protected and efficiently delivered anywhere in the UK or overseas. Acid free tissue paper protects prints from scratching/creasing. Metro also offer a vast array of delivery options to suit the recipient’s preference.
Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Video of Authenticity: Newly printed bespoke prints are further authenticated by way of a short personalised video. Arthur Steel mentions your name on the recording prior to signing. For example, Arthur will say something like: “I’m signing these 20 inch prints of ‘Catfight’, edition number 2/10 for Mr. Smith in New York.” For your records, the footage is then sent to you via email.
Watermark: Watermarks will not be present on an original print.
Copyright: © Arthur Steel / The Arthur Steel Archive.