Never-Before-Seen Marilyn Monroe Photographs and Handwritten Thanksgiving Recipe Up for Auction Ahead of 100th Birthday
Ahead of what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, an auction is set to unveil never-before-seen photographs and a handwritten Thanksgiving turkey stuffing recipe. This event will take place at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, on June 4, 2026, celebrating the legacy of the iconic Hollywood star.
Auction Details and Featured Items
The auction, titled “100 Years of Marilyn,” will feature between 350 and 400 lots, showcasing a wide array of Monroe’s personal belongings. Items include documents, wardrobe pieces, and even the wooden gates from her California home. Martin Nolan, co-founder of the auction house, emphasized Monroe’s lasting impact on culture, stating that she reshaped the world before and after her time.
Among the items to be auctioned are ballgowns, private movie contracts, cosmetics, and scripts. Nolan noted that this collection captures the glamour, talent, and vulnerability that solidified Monroe’s status as a cultural icon.
Unique Photographs and Personal Effects
The auction will present several unique photographs, including a never-before-seen black-and-white image taken by Allan Grant in 1962, showing Monroe shortly before her death. Other notable photographs include a rare image from the set of the 1955 comedy “The Seven Year Itch” and one of her first professional headshots, taken around 1944 when she was still known as Norma Jean.
Additionally, personal items such as Monroe’s Max Factor lipstick and a handwritten counter cheque from her Bank of America account will be available. These artifacts provide insight into her lavish lifestyle, including a cheque for a stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel during the filming of “Let’s Make Love.”
Historical Significance and Market Trends
The auction comes at a time when interest in Monroe memorabilia is at an all-time high. This trend was notably amplified when Kim Kardashian wore Monroe’s iconic 1962 “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress to the 2022 Met Gala. The dress was previously purchased for $4.8 million by Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Margaret Barrett, head of Hollywood memorabilia at Julien’s, remarked on Monroe’s enduring influence, stating that her possessions reveal her tastes, aspirations, and innermost feelings. She highlighted that items like bank cheques provide fascinating details about Monroe’s life.
A Legacy Remembered
Monroe, who passed away at the age of 36, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The auction will include significant items such as her 1956 Screen Actors Guild membership card and a 1950s tan cotton brassiere, inherited by Lee and Paula Strasberg. The sale aims to honor her extraordinary life and legacy, solidifying her status as one of the 20th century’s defining cultural icons.
As reported by www.mirror.co.uk, the auction is expected to attract considerable attention from collectors and fans alike.
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Published on 2026-05-07 19:02:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk