Marilyn Monroe's personal items, including bras and home gates, are up for auction by Julien's on June 4, with bids already exceeding estimates.
Iconic Bras and Personal Effects
Julien's Auctions is featuring two of Marilyn Monroe's bras, each with a current bid of $5,000, surpassing their initial estimates of $1,000 to $2,000. These items are part of a larger collection commemorating what would have been Monroe's 100th birthday on June 1.
Additional personal effects include a gold-plated lipstick tube containing still-intact 70-year-old hot pink lipstick, with a current bid of $7,000. Other cosmetic items, such as eyeliner and mascara, are attracting bids of $1,250 and $800, respectively.
Exclusive Home Gates and Evening Purse
For those with an interest in larger items, the auction includes the 1960s wrought iron front gates from Monroe's Brentwood home at 12305 Helena Drive. Weighing approximately one ton, the gates are currently bid at $15,000, not including shipping. Originally removed in 1984 by a devoted fan, they were installed in his Minneapolis home's basement.
The expected star of the auction is Monroe's 1950s minaudière evening purse, with an estimated value of $100,000 to $200,000, and a current bid of $40,000. This item is owned by fashion designers Tommy and Dee Hilfiger. Many personal items in the auction trace back to Monroe's acting coach, Lee Strasberg, who inherited a significant portion of her estate and personal effects. These items have previously appeared in auctions by Christie's in 1999, and Julien’s in 2003 and 2016.
Rare Photographs from Japan Trip
The auction also includes lesser-known yet intriguing items: previously unseen photographs and transparencies from Monroe's 1954 trip to Japan with Joe DiMaggio. Bids for these unique images start at $100, offering fans a glimpse into a less-publicized period of Monroe's life.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/marilyn-monroe-auction-items-bid-100th-birthday-1236613404/
