Icons and Idols 2014: Hollywood Featuring Property From the Life and Career of Marily...

On December 6, 2014 Julien’s Auctions will again make history with an impressive collection of property from the personal and professional life of Marilyn Monroe.

The auction offers bidders a chance to own a piece of The Lost Archive of Marilyn Monroe, available for the first time to view or purchase.  The Lost Archive is comprised of over 200 lots of intimate correspondence, photographs and other items kept by Monroe. 

There are a series of love letters written to Monroe by her soon-to-be husband, Arthur Miller.  In these letters Miller discusses his love of Marilyn, fears for his children and the anxiety of ending his marriage.  He also addresses his concerns over Monroe’s emotional state and attempts to comfort her.  The archive includes one drafted response by Monroe to Miller stating her own concerns and anxiety.

Also present is a heartbreaking letter to Monroe from her soon to be ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio.  It was written just after Monroe’s press conference announcing the couple’s divorce.  DiMaggio writes about watching that press conference on television.  It is clear in the letter that the baseball superstar did not want their marriage to end and he asks Monroe to reconsider.

The archive also includes: photographs Monroe kept of herself from Manfred Kreiner, Milton Greene, Cecil Beaton and numerous contact sheets from the set of The Misfits; prescriptions and letters from her doctors; cards and gift enclosures from her friends and admirers – including Marlon Brando; financial records; numerous phone messages received while she was a guest at the Beverly Hills Hotel; and letters from 20^th Century Fox and other career related documents. 

Additionally, Monroe’s personal copy of a behind-the-scenes film reel from The Misfitsis also among the items that will be sold.  The 16mm, 19 minute film begins with the cast arriving in Reno, Nevada for filming and ends with a beach scene from the film where Monroe leaps from the water into Clark Gable’s arms. 

Julien’s Auctions has a reputation for selling the finest Marilyn Monroe property, which is why this sale also contains an array of Monroe’s personal items, many from the historic 1999 Christie’s and 2005 Julien’s Auctions of property from the Estate of Marilyn Monroe.  Among these items are: Monroe’s “favorite coat” worn in the mid- to late-1950s; Monroe’s black velvet cocktail dress and opera coat; rhinestone studded hairpins; make-up; jewelry; decorative items from Monroe’s homes and ultra-personal lingerie will be up for bid.

Rounding out the sale is a collection of items from Monroe’s biographer, Lois Banner.  Items for sale in this collection include a Poucette painting, photographs, letters written by Monroe’s mother, financial documents, and an article manuscript written by Arthur Miller.  Many of these items are discussed in Banner’s book Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox.

Destined to be another Marilyn Monroe landmark auction.   Register now to be a part of Marilyn Monroe history.