Gene London: TV Personality and Marilyn Collector Has Died

First posted here on January 28, 2020 Gene London, the television personality turned fashion designer who owned one of the world’s largest Hollywood costume collections, has died aged 88 after a fall at his home in Reading, Pennsylvania on January 19, 2020. He is survived by husband John Thomas, and will be buried alongside his...

Jack Allen To Sell Marilyn’s ‘Down Boy’, and More

First posted here on December 4, 2018 Marilyn By Moonlight author Jack Allen is selling off some items from his collection in the Essentially Marilyn auction on December 11, 2018, at Profiles In History – including photographs and the unreleased song, ‘Down Boy‘, as Mike Szymanski reports for Dreamweaver Arts. (The auction also features the...

Richard Avedon’s ‘Sad Marilyn’ Plate Sold for $75K

First posted here on April 6th, 2019 Richard Avedon’s melancholic 1957 portrait of Marilyn, one of 35 plates printed in 1970 as part of a ‘Minneapolis Portfolio’, fetched an impressive $75,000 today in a Photographs auction at Sotheby’s in New York. ‘Nothing Personal’: Richard Avedon’s Marilyn First posted here on November 6th, 2017 Nothing Personal, Richard Avedon's...

Marilyn, Yves Montand and a ‘Secret Pregnancy’

First posted here on February 16, 2017 A series of gorgeous colour photos taken by Monroe Sixer Frieda Hull, whose incredible archive of candid snapshots were auctioned at Julien’s in November 2016, were published in yesterday’s Daily Mail. The images show Marilyn arriving for test shots for The Misfits in New York in July 1960. Unfortunately – and...

Marilyn’s Lost Archive: In the Spotlight

In my fourth post about The Lost Archive of Marilyn Monroe sale held at Julien’s Auctions on December 6, 2014, I take a closer look at Marilyn’s remarkable career. (You can read my previous posts here.) "A vintage black and white RKO studio publicity photograph of Ginger Rogers inscribed, 'To Norma Jean Baker Sincerely Ginger...

Julien’s Lost Archive: Marilyn Among Friends

In my third post about The Lost Archive of Marilyn Monroe sale held at Julien’s Auctions on December 6, 2014, I look at letters from some of her closest friends - including photographer Sam Shaw, and poet Norman Rosten. (You can read my previous posts here.) "A 16-page letter from Sam Shaw, with two pages...

Love Letters From Marilyn’s Lost Archive

First posted here on November 26, 2014 Love letters sent to Marilyn – including a lusty paean from Arthur Miller, and a regretful missive from Joe DiMaggio, as reported in People magazine– are currently on display at the Newbridge Style Icons Museum in County Kildare, Ireland, until this Saturday, November 28. The letters will then be included...

Marilyn’s Lost Archive at Julien’s Auctions

First posted here on November 12, 2014 Julien’s Auctions have announced details of their next auction, Icons and Idols: Property from the Life and Career of Marilyn Monroe, set for December 6. Some of the items are from the collection of Lois Banner, author of MM Personal. However many have never been seen before, and are...

Verdict Reached in Marilyn’s ‘Letter of Despair’ Trial

First posted here on November 27, 2014 The ‘Letter of Despair‘ trial – concerning a draft note (later typed) from a distraught Marilyn to Lee Strasberg during filming of Some Like it Hot in 1958 – reached its verdict on November 19, with a ruling against the plaintiff, Anna Strasberg, reports the Pasadena Star-News. The letter, which was...

Marilyn’s Fashions, Scripts and Photos at Profiles in History

First posted here on September 19, 2014 This 1951 photo of Marilyn in her favourite Oleg Cassini dress is one of several rare, unseen pictures featured in the upcoming Hollywood Auction 65, to be hosted by Profiles in History from October 17-19. Also featured are candid photos of Marilyn with Joe DiMaggio while on location...