Barry Kramer

Jayne Mansfield with Seagrams Dogs (Limited Edition of 10, No 6-10) - 30"x40"

1955, printed later

Barry Kramer was one of the most prolific photographers of his time. He was the first photographer to discover an unknown Jane Mansfield, initially photographing her in the early 1950s in a studio, in a boudoir style. Kramer was born and raised in New York City and graduated from New York University as an advertising major. Like many before him, his photography was not well-known during his life but celebrated after death. The images were discovered 33 years after his death. Kramer traveled with USO shows for enlisted men during WWII around Europe, photographing and developing close relationships with many stars that included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Duke Ellington and Jack Benny. They expanded his relationships to include Perry Como, Steve Allen, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Don Rickles, Count Basie, Joan Rivers, Buddy Hackett, Stan Kenton, Ella Fitzgerald, Joey Bishop and countless other celebrities of the time. Kramer was also the in-house photographer at the famous Westbury Theater, Long Island, New York, where many of the aforementioned stars performed. Until now Kramer’s photographs have never been published in a limited-edition format. Each image captures the essence of a time gone by in American culture and entertainment and the stars who shined.