The legendary photograph that became the face of David Bowie's transformative 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' album is heading for auction, with experts predicting it could command up to £20,000.
Captured by renowned photographer Brian Duffy in 1972, this iconic image defined Bowie's alien rock star persona and remains one of the most recognisable album covers in music history.
The Photographic Session That Made History
The black and white portrait, taken outside furrier K. West's Heddon Street studio in London's West End, features Bowie leaning against a wall while sporting the mullet and flamboyant outfit that would become synonymous with his Ziggy Stardust character.
What many fans don't realise is that the session almost didn't happen as planned. Bowie arrived late to the shoot, and the original concept had to be dramatically altered due to fading daylight.
From Rejected Concept to Cultural Icon
'Duffy had initially envisioned a colourful, elaborate set-up,' explains photography expert James Gower. 'But when Bowie turned up hours behind schedule, they had to improvise with a simple location shot using natural light.'
The resulting image, though born from necessity, perfectly captured the androgynous, otherworldly quality Bowie sought to project. It became so influential that the specific location on Heddon Street has since become a pilgrimage site for devoted Bowie fans worldwide.
Auction House Excitement Builds
Omega Auctions will offer the rare vintage print on March 20th as part of their 'Entertainment & Video Games Memorabilia' sale. The photograph measures approximately 20x16 inches and comes from the private collection of Duffy's former assistant, ensuring its impeccable provenance.
'This isn't just a photograph - it's a piece of cultural history,' stated auctioneer Katherine Rudd. 'It captures the moment Bowie cemented his status as a musical innovator and style icon. We're anticipating significant international interest.'
The auction comes nearly five decades after the album's release and seven years after Bowie's tragic passing in 2016, adding emotional weight to an already historically significant item.
