Marilyn Manson 1998 RA-4 Color Contact Sheet Kodak Vericolor III (VPS 6006)

Marilyn Manson

• Date/Session: 1998 promotional shoot for Icon International (Mechanical Animals era)

• Medium: 10 x 12 inch RA-4 color contact sheet (proof print)

• Film Source: Kodak Vericolor III Professional (VPS 6006), 120 medium format negatives (6×6 cm)

• Print Type: Direct 1:1 optical print on Kodak Professional Paper

• Frame Size: Each image square approx. 2” × 2” (56 mm × 56 mm), consistent with true contact proofing

• Unique Identifier: Handwritten catalog number 332897-7 on the sheet, indicating agency archival tracking

1998 RA-4 Color Contact Sheet (Proof Print) of Marilyn Manson, twelve 6×6 frames from Kodak Vericolor III (VPS 6006) 120 negatives, printed on Kodak Professional paper, with agency archive numbering.

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Visual & Stylistic Notes

• Manson is shown in bold red hair, pale makeup, blue eye shadow, and red/black contact lenses — a look tied directly to the Mechanical Animals era (1998).

• Poses emphasize hand gestures and jewelry, indicating a shoot styled for editorial/promo selection rather than casual candids.

• The set of frames captures multiple expressions and micro-poses, showing the raw selection process before final promotional shots were chosen.

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Technical & Historical Context

• Contact Proof Process: True contact sheets are produced by placing negatives directly against photo paper and exposing them at 1:1 scale. The Kodak VPS 6006 edge markings visible confirm direct negative printing rather than digital or enlarger-generated composites.

• Color vs. B&W Proofs: While black & white proof sheets were the industry norm (cheaper, faster), color contact sheets were reserved for high-profile sessions where exact hues were critical for styling or editorial approval. This adds rarity.

• Film Stock: Kodak VPS 6006 was the pro portrait stock of the 1980s–1990s. It was discontinued around the release of Kodak Portra in 1998 — aligning precisely with this Manson shoot.

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Condition Assessment

• Surface: Glossy finish, high saturation. No major scratches, tears, or handling wear visible.

• Edges: Straight cut, no curling.

• Back: Kodak Professional Paper watermark intact, confirming period-correct RA-4 chromogenic processing.

• Overall Condition: Excellent, archivally stable.

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Rarity & Collectibility

• Format: Uncommon 10x12 inch size, not a mass promo format like 8x10 or 11x14 — this was produced strictly for agency/editorial review.

• Survival Rate: Very few color contact sheets survive outside photographer/agency archives.

• Era: Tied to one of Manson’s most iconic stylistic shifts (Mechanical Animals), making it desirable to both music and cultural collectors.

This piece is a genuine 1998 Marilyn Manson RA-4 color contact sheet printed from Kodak Vericolor III (VPS 6006) 120 negatives, on Kodak Professional Paper, with agency archive markings. Its uncommon color format, excellent condition, and direct tie to the Mechanical Animals era make it a rare and highly collectible example of late-1990s rock photography.