Audrey Hepburn

Vintage French Magazine Featuring a Full-Cover Audrey Hepburn Portrait — Personally Signed by Hepburn

An exceptional early Audrey Hepburn autograph, appearing directly on the cover of the French illustrated magazine Semaine du Monde, dated October 31–November 6, 1953—the pivotal year in which Roman Holiday transformed the young actress into an international star.

The magazine presents a magnificent full-color close-up portrait of Hepburn, whose unmistakable features dominate virtually the entire cover. Hepburn has signed the cover in blue ink at upper left, “Audrey Hepburn.”

The result is an unusually attractive combination of vintage Hollywood photography, European popular culture, and the autograph of one of the twentieth century’s most enduring screen icons.

Audrey Hepburn in 1953 — The Birth of a Star

The date makes this particular magazine especially appealing.

In 1953, Audrey Hepburn starred opposite Gregory Peck in William Wyler’s Roman Holiday. Her performance as Princess Ann made her an international sensation and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, presented at the 1954 ceremony.

This issue of Semaine du Monde appeared during that extraordinary breakthrough period, when Hepburn was emerging as Hollywood’s newest major star.

Rather than a retrospective image signed decades after her rise to fame, the magazine itself is a surviving artifact from the moment that fame was being established.

A Remarkable Cover Portrait

The visual presentation is exceptional.

Hepburn’s portrait fills almost the entire cover, immediately displaying the features that would soon make her one of the most photographed women in the world.

The French cover line reads:

“Margaret a-t-elle été trahie par cette ingénue?”

The combination of saturated period color, bold French typography, and Hepburn’s striking portrait gives the magazine considerable display appeal even apart from the autograph.

With the addition of Hepburn’s signature, it becomes a particularly distinctive piece of Golden Age Hollywood memorabilia.

The Audrey Hepburn Autograph

Hepburn has signed the cover in blue ink, placing her signature against the light background beside her portrait, where it remains readily visible without interfering with the image.

Audrey Hepburn autographs remain highly desirable among collectors of classic Hollywood. Her enduring association with Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, My Fair Lady and, above all, Breakfast at Tiffany’s has made her one of the most recognizable and collectible actresses of her generation.

A signed item dating from her breakthrough year carries an additional historical dimension that later photographs and magazine appearances cannot duplicate.

Collector Appeal

This piece brings together several particularly desirable characteristics:

• Audrey Hepburn autograph
• Original 1953 French magazine
• Published during Hepburn’s breakthrough year
• Contemporary with the release and enormous success of Roman Holiday
• Spectacular full-cover color portrait
• Large, unobstructed image of Hepburn
• Attractive blue-ink signature directly on the cover
• Strong display potential
• European publication from the beginning of Hepburn’s international stardom
• Crossover appeal to collectors of Hollywood autographs, vintage magazines, cinema memorabilia and Audrey Hepburn material

Condition

The magazine displays age and handling consistent with a publication dating from 1953. Minor edge, corner and surface wear may be present, together with the natural aging expected of vintage magazine stock.

The cover retains excellent visual impact, with strong period color and an exceptionally attractive portrait of Hepburn.

Please examine the accompanying high-resolution photographs carefully for the precise condition of the magazine and autograph.

Authentication

The Audrey Hepburn signature is offered as shown and should be evaluated together with all accompanying photographs and documentation. Independent third-party authentication is recommended for collectors seeking formal certification of the autograph.

Audrey Hepburn at the Moment Stardom Arrived

What distinguishes this piece is not simply that Audrey Hepburn signed a magazine bearing her photograph.

It is when that magazine appeared.

Published in late 1953, this issue captures Hepburn at precisely the period when Roman Holiday was turning a relatively unknown young European actress into one of Hollywood’s brightest new stars.

The extraordinary cover portrait, French provenance, early date and prominent Hepburn autograph combine to create a highly displayable artifact from the year Audrey Hepburn became Audrey Hepburn.

A distinctive acquisition for the collector of Audrey Hepburn, Golden Age Hollywood, classic cinema autographs or important twentieth-century entertainment memorabilia.