Mesmerizing autographed portrait of Marilyn Monroe posing in glittering jewelry and a plunging gown in 1953 goes on sale for $20,000
A glamorous autographed portrait of Marilyn Monroe in her breakout year has been listed for sale for $20,000.
The starlet smiles seductively as she lies on a pillow in a low-cut dark dress and diamond jewellery.
The actress, then 27 years old, signed the 1953 image with blue ballpoint pen “To Sandra, Warm Regards, Marilyn Monroe.”
She rose to superstardom after her performances in the films Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, all of which aired that same year.
The 8-by-10-inch photo is expected to spark passionate bidding when it goes under the hammer at RR Auction in Boston. It was sent by a private collector.
The starlet smiles seductively as she reclines on a pillow in a low-cut dark dress and diamond jewellery
A spokesperson for RR Auction said: ‘This is a classic, virtually untouched portrait of the blonde bombshell, captured at the height of her fame in 1953.
Monroe became a household name when she starred in three hit films: Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire. It’s an enchanting signed portrait of Marilyn in her breakout year.’
Monroe had massive box office success for the rest of the decade, starring in The Seven Year Itch (1955) and Some Like It Hot (1959).
But she led a troubled private life and died on August 4, 1962 of a suspected drug overdose at her LA home.
The sale of the signed photo will take place on April 12.
The actress rose to superstardom after her appearances in the films Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, all of which aired that same year. In the photo: Monroe, 27 years old