Michael Joseph (1941-) - Pool ladies ready to dive, bold authentic sharp vintage darkroom print
03
days
09
hours
55
minutes
49
seconds
Current bid
€ 33
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Elena Vaninetti
Has over ten years of experience in art, specialising in post-war photography and contemporary art.
Estimate € 600 - € 750
 | €33 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €30 | |
| €25 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143038 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Michael Joseph’s Pool ladies ready to dive, bold authentic sharp vintage darkroom print, 1980 gelatin-silver print, hand-signed, 24 × 24 cm, rare black-and-white print from the original negative.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Pool Ladies Rady to Dive – for US Playboy TB Channel interview, Clapham Common, 1987
Michael Joseph – Original Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph, Hand-Annotated and Signed
A wonderfully provocative and mischievous original photograph by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, taken in 1987 at the photographer's swimming pool in Clapham Common, London.
A line of nude female swimmers, perfectly synchronised and poised to dive, creates a striking composition of rhythm, repetition and theatrical precision. Arms outstretched, bodies aligned and feet gripping the starting blocks, the swimmers are frozen in that tantalising instant before the plunge.
A perfectly timed false start – with a distinctly Playboy twist!
The photograph's dramatic perspective, sculptural beauty and playful irreverence are characteristic of Michael Joseph's extraordinary visual imagination.
An Original Vintage Piece – Not a Modern Reproduction
Presented on a black mount with a silver-coloured border, the photograph bears Michael Joseph's signature and handwritten inscriptions in silver ink:
“False Start. Playboy” – “Clapham Common” – “1980”
These personal annotations make this an especially appealing collector's piece, preserving the photographer's own identification of the image and its original context.
About the Photographer
Michael Joseph (b. 1941) is internationally acclaimed for his imaginative and often spectacular advertising photography. Best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet album, his work is celebrated for its theatrical compositions, technical brilliance and unmistakable sense of humour.
A Rare Collector's Opportunity
An unusual and captivating vintage photograph, combining artistic elegance, British photographic history and a delicious touch of irreverence.
Its original presentation, handwritten annotations and signature distinguish it from a conventional photographic print.
Proof that even a false start can produce something quite unforgettable!
Photographer: Michael Joseph (b. 1941)
Title: False Start – Playboy
Location: Clapham Common, London
Date: 1987
Medium: Vintage black-and-white silver gelatin photograph
Signature: Hand-signed by Michael Joseph
Presentation: Black mount, silver-coloured border, handwritten inscriptions
Condition: Vintage, with age-related characteristics consistent with its period
#MichaelJoseph #FalseStart #PlayboyPhotography #VintagePhotography #SilverGelatinPrint #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #SignedPhotography #BritishPhotography #1980sPhotography #ClaphamCommon #VintagePrints #PhotographicArt #CollectiblePhotography #Catawiki
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Pool Ladies Rady to Dive – for US Playboy TB Channel interview, Clapham Common, 1987
Michael Joseph – Original Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph, Hand-Annotated and Signed
A wonderfully provocative and mischievous original photograph by celebrated British advertising photographer Michael Joseph, taken in 1987 at the photographer's swimming pool in Clapham Common, London.
A line of nude female swimmers, perfectly synchronised and poised to dive, creates a striking composition of rhythm, repetition and theatrical precision. Arms outstretched, bodies aligned and feet gripping the starting blocks, the swimmers are frozen in that tantalising instant before the plunge.
A perfectly timed false start – with a distinctly Playboy twist!
The photograph's dramatic perspective, sculptural beauty and playful irreverence are characteristic of Michael Joseph's extraordinary visual imagination.
An Original Vintage Piece – Not a Modern Reproduction
Presented on a black mount with a silver-coloured border, the photograph bears Michael Joseph's signature and handwritten inscriptions in silver ink:
“False Start. Playboy” – “Clapham Common” – “1980”
These personal annotations make this an especially appealing collector's piece, preserving the photographer's own identification of the image and its original context.
About the Photographer
Michael Joseph (b. 1941) is internationally acclaimed for his imaginative and often spectacular advertising photography. Best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet album, his work is celebrated for its theatrical compositions, technical brilliance and unmistakable sense of humour.
A Rare Collector's Opportunity
An unusual and captivating vintage photograph, combining artistic elegance, British photographic history and a delicious touch of irreverence.
Its original presentation, handwritten annotations and signature distinguish it from a conventional photographic print.
Proof that even a false start can produce something quite unforgettable!
Photographer: Michael Joseph (b. 1941)
Title: False Start – Playboy
Location: Clapham Common, London
Date: 1987
Medium: Vintage black-and-white silver gelatin photograph
Signature: Hand-signed by Michael Joseph
Presentation: Black mount, silver-coloured border, handwritten inscriptions
Condition: Vintage, with age-related characteristics consistent with its period
#MichaelJoseph #FalseStart #PlayboyPhotography #VintagePhotography #SilverGelatinPrint #FineArtPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #SignedPhotography #BritishPhotography #1980sPhotography #ClaphamCommon #VintagePrints #PhotographicArt #CollectiblePhotography #Catawiki
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Details
Date of print
1980
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Pool ladies ready to dive, bold authentic sharp vintage darkroom print
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
24 cm
Edition
Rare black and white print from original negative by the photographer
Width
24 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Nude
Sold by
