A Selection of Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia up for Grabs in December

More than 175 items from Marilyn Monroe’s life and career will be offered this December by Julien’s Auctions in collaboration with Turner Classic Movies.

The sale comes on the heels of the release of the controversial film Blonde, based on the 2000 novel of the same name that focuses heavily on Monroe’s rise to fame and her relationships with men, both real and fictional.

Highlighting the sale is an artifact that’s believed to be the only connection or communication between the world-famous actress and one of the men in her life, her biological father Stanley C. Gifford.

Monroe was put into foster care in June 1926 when she was just two weeks old. Her mother tried to gain back full custody, but struggled with symptoms of mental disorder, according to her biography. Gifford, who worked in the film industry, did not want Monroe to be part of his life even though she tried to contact and visit him many times, according to My Sister Marilyn: A Memoir of Marilyn Monroe by Berniece Baker Miracle, Monroe’s half-sister, and Mona Rae Miracle, daughter of Berniece.

The card reads: “This cheery little get-well note comes specially to say that lots of thoughts and wishes, too, are with you every day,” with the words “a little prayer too,” and signed “Stanley Gifford, Red Rock Dairy Farm, Hemet, Calif.”

The card was discovered by Marilyn Monroe historian and collector Scott Fortner as part of researching and documenting Monroe’s personal archives. It was undated and without an envelope, and believed to be hand delivered to Monroe when Gifford visited her during one of her many hospitalizations in Los Angeles, according to Julien’s.

It has an estimated value between US$2,000 and US$3,000.

Additional highlights include wardrobe pieces worn by Monroe for her photograph shoots and movies. A Mae West-inspired black “cellophane effect” evening gown, worn by Monroe during the 1955 filming of The Seven Year Itch, is expected to fetch between US$20,000 and US$40,000. A black velvet opera coat in which she was often photographed while living in New York from 1954-55 has a presale estimate between US$20,000 and US$30,000.

One of the most valuable items is a personalized brown leather Gucci address book custom stamped “M.M.” on the front cover, circa 1955, expected to sell for between US$50,000 and US$70,000. The address book contains contacts including Marlon Brando, “Mother Miller,” Lee Strasberg, Maurine [sic.] Stapleton, and Harold Clurman, along with handwritten entries and notes.

“Despite the numerous books, movies, and stories there are about the life of Marilyn Monroe, she has always been a largely enigmatic and alluring star,” Pola Changnon, general manager of Turner Classic Movies, said in a statement. “This auction brings us closer to the real person she was.”

The sale will take place from Dec. 17-18 live at Julien’s Beverly Hills galleries and via its online platform.

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Ozge Fettahlioglu is the founder of Cocoplum | Biophilic Design Studio and Boxareno | Custom Modular Constructions. A wellness and biophilic design leader, she creates bespoke spaces that inspire, heal, and elevate daily living. Ozge is also a board member of Biophilic Cities Australia.