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...

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...

Becoming Jewish: Warhol’s Liz and Marilyn

First posted here on September 5, 2015 Becoming Jewish: Warhol’s Liz and Marilyn, a new exhibition at New York’s Jewish Museum, explores the parallels between Marilyn and Elizabeth Taylor, who both converted to Judaism, and Andy Warhol’s fascination with the cult of celebrity. The exhibition (opening on September 25, through to February 7, 2016) is divided...

Marilyn’s Rhinestone Earrings (and More) at Julien’s Auctions

First posted here on March 26, 2014 Julien’s Hollywood Legends 2014 auction, set for April 11, features many Marilyn-related items (she is pictured with Marlon Brando on the back cover.) Highlights include rare behind-the-scenes photos from Niagara; original photos by Manfred Linus Kreiner; the rhinestone clip-on earrings worn to the Rose Tattoo premiere; a black ruched Ceil Chapman cocktail dress,...

Marilyn’s Redbook Award, and More, at Julien’s

First posted here on October 8, 2013 Some interesting Marilyn-related items are featured in the upcoming Icons and Idols auction at Julien’s, set for November 9th. My favourites are these Korea photos, taken by Daryl Mitchell, who served in the Korean War from August 1952 to August 1954 as ‘Senior Still Photographer’ of the 101st Signal Battalion. There...

Marilyn’s ‘Love Happy’ Dress, Korea Photos – and More – at Heritage Auctions

First posted here on July 31, 2013 Heritage Auctions are holding an Entertainment & Music Memorabilia sale on August 10th, including several very desirable Marilyn-related items. Among the lots, two sets of rare Korea photos have attracted the attention of the Daily Mail: “A set of 13 black and white photographs, taken by an official army photographer, capture...

Dressing With Marilyn at Julien’s Hollywood Legends

First posted here on March 12, 2013 Marilyn graces another auction catalogue cover this week, with a cover shot from How to Marry a Millionaire's dressing-room scene. Julien’s Hollywood Legends sale is set for April 5-6, and includes photographs, documents and a cocktail dress that belonged to MM. UPDATE: A nude foundation bra for Marilyn’s ‘I Wanna Be...