Hollywood Legends Auction: Full of amazing Marilyn photos, gowns and one very funky chair

A few weeks ago I blogged about the oh so gorgeous Marilyn Monroe, that just makes you want to go and do a few squats and reverse crunches, whatever they are. You can read the post about the exhibition on her in London here and see some gorgeous dresses and beautiful photos.

Well, it seems to be Marilyn mania at the moment, because as part of the Hollywood Legends Auction that is being held in Beverly Hills on the 31st March and 1st April, there are beautiful unseen photos of the star, calenders, telegrams and letters that are expected to reach a tidy sum. By the way if your man suddenly decides to go to Beverley Hills for the weekend, its probably due to the fact that a rare calender is on sale featuring Marilyn's nude Playboy photograph, well who can blame him really.

The auction that contains over 100 never seen before photos have pictures of Marilyn at 27, just before she hit international stardom. The pictures are taken by her then make up artist Allan 'Whitey' Snyder, who use to take photographs of Marilyn before filming to calm her nerves, sadly Rescue Remedy and Fox biscuits weren't around then. The photos are taken on location of her first leading role for Niagra in 1953. Whitey who died in 1994 was Marilyn's makeup artist for 16 years and had unlimited access to her. Although, I doubt he saw her in Froggy PJ's with smudged morning makeup, Marilyn was far too glamorous for that. The pictures show Marilyn at incredible ease looking young, fresh and extremely beautiful. They show that happiness and being comfortable in your own skin makes a picture far more beautiful, then piling six layers of foundation on.

There are other pictures from sets of some of her most famous films, including 'Gentleman Prefer Blondes', 'The Prince and the Showgirl' and 'Something's Got to Give.

On set of 'Let's Make Love'

On set of 'Something's Got to Give'

Also up for auction is a 14K engraved Tiffany Money Clip. It's inscribed with 'Whitey Dear, While I'm still warm Marilyn.' Nope I don't understand it either.

Slides of Marilyn on set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl

Remember the old days where we didn't have some strange thing called e-mail, text language didn't even exist and telegrams were sent? Well some lucky bidder can reminisce with this Western Union Telegram that Marilyn sent to Whitey, when she was fired from her film 'Something's Got To Give.' It said 'Dear Whitey, It was not my doing. I had so looked forward to working with you. Warmly Marilyn.' I swear the woman talks in riddles.

Also up for auction are some of Marilyn's pantaloons worn in 'River of No Return' ($20,000-$40,000). But the auction does not only contain Marilyn Monroe items, oh no film buddies and music lovers can be treated with items from a whole range of stars. It includes Charlie Chaplin's iconic cane (Est $20,000-$30,000) a Charlie Chaplin film worn suit (Est $20,000- $30,000) and a number of his own personal items including his own driver's license (Est $2,000- $4,000).

Other movie highlights include  a Charlton Heston screen worn robe (Est $30,000- $50,000), screen used tablets from The Ten Commandments (Est $20,000- $30,000) and Clark Gable's riding jacket from 'Gone With The Wind' ( Est $20,000-$30,000).
There is also a Christopher Reeve 'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace' costume on sale (Est $20,000- $30,000), a Complete Batman costume on a custom display from 'Batman Returns' (Est $60,000- $80,000) and a Turbo Man costume from the Arnold Schwarzenegger holiday film 'The Golden Girls' (Est $400-$600).
These would be the perfect present for your man, but you might have to sacrifice buying shoes for about five years. That's just not possible for me, sorry Mr, Boyfriend I'm sure you would have loved walking around in a Superman costume all day.

Original films posters are on sale ranging from Casablanca (Est $2,000- $3,000), 'Gone With the Wind' (Est $1,000- $2,000) and Some Like it Hot Est ($2,000-$3,000).
Political fans can indulge in President John F. Kennedy's Rocking Chair (Est $50,000- $70,000), now you won't find that in Ikea.

Also on sale is a vest worn by the late Whitney Houston in 'The Bodyguard' and memorabilia from Sammy Davis Jr, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and loads more items owned by hunky men and beautiful women.

One of the gems of the collection is a vintage Christian Dior gown worn by Princess Diana (Est $10,000- $20,000) and another dress worn by her designed by Catherine Walker (Est 60,000- $80,000).

You can view more of the 800 piece collection and take a sneek peek at the online catalogue here.  Doesn't times like this make you wish you filled out fifty lottery tickets or married a footballer?

Second Hand Rose
XxxX