The Julien’s Auctions 2009 Summer Sale proved that Marilyn Monroe memorabilia continues to garner top dollar when going under the hammer. Items belonging to Monroe, including clothing, furniture and personal possessions from her final residence were auctioned at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 27.
The item commanding the most attention was Monroe’s personal white terrycloth beach robe, which she wore during the now famous George Barris photo shoot on Santa Monica Beach in June of 1962, just two months before her untimely death. This clothing piece fetched a cool $100,000.00. I could hardly contain my disbelief as I sat and watched two telephone bidders duke it out for the robe. It was incredible.
In my opinion, the biggest surprise, if not disappointment, was the unbelievably low hammer price for the one-of-a-kind robe worn by Monroe in 1957’s “The Prince and The Showgirl.” This beautiful costume sold for a mere $22,000.00, a paltry sum compared to other Monroe costumes that have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The condition of the robe is unfortunate as it’s beginning to fray and become quite tattered. As it’s made of chiffon, this lovely item is nearly impossible to repair or restore.
My personal auction photos, along with some hammer prices and lot photos from the sale are below. Add 25% in premium to the hammer prices to get an idea of the final selling price.
A complete list of results from this auction, which also included items related to Elvis Presley, Edith Head and Ann Miller, can be found
here.
Lot 837: MARILYN MONROE WHITE TERRY CLOTH ROBE
Sold For $100,000
Hooded terry cloth robe with zipper and belt closure, two exterior pockets, label reads, "Catalina/ Beach Blotter/ M," discoloration from age. Robe can be seen in 1962 photographs taken by George Barris. PROVENANCE Partial Lot 143, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 740: MARILYN MONROE FUR STOLE
Sold For $57,500
White fox fur stole with a triple-pleated ivory silk lining, label reads, "Teitelbaum Furs/ Beverly Hills." Often worn by Monroe, accompanied by photographs of Monroe wearing this stole. PROVENANCE Lot 172A, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale 9216, October 27¬–28, 1999, and Lot 1 "Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, New York, Sale number 1307, November 18, 2003.
Lot 882: MARILYN MONROE WALL SCONCES
Sold For $4,750
Two bronze wall sconces each with two candle holders, housed in the dining room of Monroe's Brentwood home, accompanied by a photograph of the sconces in Monroe's home. One candle holder detached, patina and wear evident due to age. 12 by 10 inches PROVENANCE Acquired from the owner of Monroe's home after Monroe's death, Betty Nunez.
Lot 745: MARILYN MONROE BLACK CASHMERE TURTLENECK SWEATER
Sold For $9,000
Black cashmere sweater owned by Marilyn Monroe, no label present, small holes present, appears to have make-up residue on collar. PROVENANCE Partial Lot 58, "Property From the Estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005.
Lot 785: MARILYN MONROE EVENING JACKET FROM "THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL" Sold For $22,000
Blue and dusty rose colored chiffon jacket with silk embroidered flower details, pleated ruffle edging at hems and collar, hook and eye closure with tightly fitted waist, worn by Monroe in "The Prince and the Showgirl" (Warner Bros., 1957). Monroe played Elsie Marina, American showgirl and Laurence Olivier played Charles, the Prince Regent. The off screen relationship of the pair was reportedly contentious. Rips and tears evident primarily at seams. PROVENANCE Lot 170, "Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, New York, Sale number 1535, June 16, 2005.
Lot 893: MARILYN MONROE MEXICAN TAPESTRY
Sold For $31,000
Mexican wall hanging wool tapestry owned by Marilyn Monroe, tapestry reads "Chac Wool," with figure holding a bowl of fire, attached to brass hanging rod. Accompanied by photographs of the tapestry in Monroe's Brentwood home. 87 by 54 1/2 inches PROVENANCE Partial Lot 450, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 907: MARILYN MONROE DINING ROOM TABLE
Sold For $5,000
Custom made wooden table from Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood home, with round top and octagonal leg structure, brand of artist burned into bottom of table. Accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the table in Monroe's home. Diameter, 54 1/2 inches; height, 26 inches PROVENANCE Acquired from the owner of Monroe's home after Monroe's death, Betty Nunez.
Lot 748: MARILYN MONROE BLACK AND WHITE CHECKED PANTS
Sold For $26,000
Black and white checkered cotton capri pants, label reads, "designed by Jax," discoloration and staining present. The same or similar pants can be seen in multiple photographs being worn by Monroe. PROVENANCE Lot 42, "Property From the Estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005.
Lot 775: MARILYN MONROE EVENING JACKET
Sold For $13,000
Double breasted, ivory satin evening coat, three-button closure, with mother of pearl oversized buttons, two exterior pockets, and wide lapels. Accompanied by a reprinted photograph of Marilyn wearing this item. PROVENANCE Partial Lot 186A, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 857: MARILYN MONROE ORANGE PUCCI BLOUSE
Sold For $19,000
Sherbert orange long-sleeved boat neck Pucci blouse of silk jersey, size 12, label reads, "Emilio Pucci/ Florence Italy" and "Made in Italy exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue." PROVENANCE Partial Lot 260, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 758: MARILYN MONROE NECKLACE
Sold For $52,500
Necklace of glass stones in hues of brown, yellow, and gray, on gold chain with knot work, owned by Marilyn Monroe, accompanied by a framed postcard of Monroe wearing the same necklace and a framed poster. Many stones have become unattached, breaks in knot work. The photographs of Monroe in this necklace were taken by Sam Shaw. Poster, 11 by 36 inches PROVENANCE Partial Lot 248, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 894: MARILYN MONROE MIRROR
Sold For $12,500
Mirror of Mexican origin, framed and leaded in copper, raised square and triangular mirror accents around edges, from Monroe's Brentwood dining room. Accompanied by photographs of this item in Monroe's home. Some mirror deterioration. 43 1/4 by 33 1/2 inches PROVENANCE Acquired from the owner of Monroe's home after Monroe's death, Betty Nunez.
Lot 890: MARILYN MONROE WOOD COFFEE TABLE
Sold For $9,500
Wooden coffee table with leather top, from Mexico, adhered with brass tacks, marked on underside with table maker's brand three times. Accompanied by a color photograph of this item in Monroe's Brentwood home where it was housed in the living room. 41 by 16 by 29 1/2 inches PROVENANCE Acquired from the owner of Monroe's home after Monroe's death, Betty Nunez.
Lot 760: MARILYN MONROE BLACK WOOL CARDIGAN
Sold For $9,500
Black wool cardigan sweater, rounded lapels, two exterior pockets, with seven-button closure, label reads, "Geistex/ Reg. U.S. Pat. Off/ Geist & Geist, Inc. N.Y. / 100% Imported Wool." PROVENANCE Partial Lot 14, "Property From the Estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005.
Lot 914: MARILYN MONROE GLASS BOWL
Sold For $3,250
Light blue glass bowl with dark blue accents, has a crimp for easy holding and a lip for pouring. Accompanied by a photograph of this item in Monroe's Brentwood home. PROVENANCE Partial Lot 452, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 928: MARILYN MONRE THREE BOOKS OF POETRY
Sold For $10,000
Three books of poetry owned by Marilyn Monroe including, "The Penguin Book of English Verse," "The Laurel Poetry Series Wordsworth," general editor Richard Wilbur, and "The Poetry and Prose of Heinrich Heine," translated by Frederic Ewen. Accompanied by a black and white reprinted photograph of Marilyn reading the Heinrich Heine book of poetry. PROVENANCE Partial Lot 553, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe," Christie's, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27–28, 1999.
Lot 840: MARILYN MONROE BLACK LINEN BLOUSE
Sold For $19,000
Black linen sleeveless blouse with four-button front closure, label reads "Lady Manhattan/ Golden Needle/ 12/ Imported/ Pure Irish Linen." PROVENANCE Partial Lot 54, "Property From the Estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005.
Lot 880: MARILYN MONROE WOODEN BENCH
Sold For $6,250
Mexican bench with scalloped details. This item was housed in the entryway of Monroe's Brentwood home. Accompanied by a color photograph of the bench in Monroe's home. Discoloration and scratches due to age and use. 41 by 21 1/2 by 55 1/4 inches PROVENANCE Acquired from the owner of Monroe's home after Monroe's death, Betty Nunez.
In following up to my September 11, 2010 post, "Is the Most Iconic Dress in Film History Coming to Auction?" the answer appears to be...yes.
Of course, Reynolds owns the original costume Marilyn Monroe wore over the subway grate scene in the Seven Year Itch. The question of the day is, "What will the hammer price be for what is undoubtedly the most iconic film dress of all time?" 
