10 of the most valuable pieces of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia
Marilyn Monroe is an icon of Hollywood glamour and beauty. Known for her captivating performances and striking looks, she has become an enduring symbol of American pop culture.
As a result, there is a high demand for Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, and many items have fetched high prices at auction.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the 10 most valuable pieces of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia to sell at auction.
1. "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" Dress:
Perhaps the most iconic Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, the flesh-colored dress that she wore while singing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy in 1962 sold for $4.8 million at auction in 2016.2. Seven Year Itch White Dress:
The white dress that Monroe wore in the famous scene where she stands over a subway grate in The Seven Year Itch is another highly sought after item. The dress sold for $4.6 million at auction in 2011.3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Dress:
The pink satin gown that Monroe wore while singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes sold for $1.2 million at auction in 2019.4. Gold Lame Dress:
The gold lame dress that Monroe wore while performing "Heat Wave" in the movie There's No Business Like Show Business sold for $1.2 million at auction in 2011.5. "Some Like It Hot" Costume:
The cream-colored cocktail dress that Monroe wore in the final scene of Some Like It Hot sold for $1.47 million at auction in 2011.6. Signed Check:
A check signed by Monroe in 1953 sold for $39,680 at auction in 2018.7. Personal Address Book:
Monroe's personal address book, which includes the contact information for many famous figures of the era, sold for $93,750 at auction in 2017.8. "Niagara" Dress:
The red sequined dress that Monroe wore in the movie Niagara sold for $510,000 at auction in 2011.9. "River of No Return" Costume:
The buckskin costume that Monroe wore in the movie River of No Return sold for $504,000 at auction in 2010.10. "Bus Stop" Costume:
The blue and white polka dot dress that Monroe wore in the movie Bus Stop sold for $480,000 at auction in 2011.In conclusion, Marilyn Monroe memorabilia is highly prized by collectors and fans alike.
The items listed above are just a few examples of the valuable pieces that have sold at auction.
As the years go on, it is likely that the demand for Marilyn Monroe memorabilia will only continue to grow, as she remains an enduring icon of American culture.
Further reading:
The Celebrity Memorabilia Index
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.