Marilyn’s sweater from the 1962
George Barris beach photo session
As a huge Marilyn Monroe fan, you can imagine my interest when Christie’s announced its upcoming sale from the estate of Marilyn Monroe.
Here I am with the famous
“Happy Birthday
Mr. President” gown.
After inquiring about the sale, it quickly became apparent that this particular auction is all about one thing: the almighty dollar. Why do I say this, you might ask? Well, I’ll tell you.
First, Christie’s held a preview of some of the items in its Los Angeles gallery recently. I decided to cover the preview and called for press credentials. I was informed that I could come, take photos and ask questions, but would have to pay $10 for the “gallery guide.” Now, $10 isn’t a lot of money, but can’t Christie’s afford to give its skinny brochure to everyone – especially the press – that will bring buyers to the sale? Anyway, I paid the $10 and entered the exhibition.
What a disappointment it turned out to be! I’ve been to many auctions, and I expected a very professional, upbeat and exciting display. Believe it or not, while they had numerous Marilyn wardrobe items, only one piece was displayed on a mannequin! The others were tacked onto white boards that were leaned up against the wall. I don’t know about you, but I think the display should have been presented with dignity, not like some items in a garage sale or thrift store.
There were no Marilyn movie clips playing. None of Marilyn’s music was playing. Just a bunch of “stuff” displayed in a manner that resembled more of a wake than an auction exhibit. The mood in the room was hushed and somber. Although I loved seeing Marilyn’s things, I couldn’t wait to leave!
As I said, the only dress displayed properly was the infamous “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress that Marilyn wore to JFK’s birthday celebration in 1962. The gown was absolutely incredible – more beautiful than I had ever imagined. It shimmered in the light and was clearly the highlight of the entire exhibit. According to the gallery guide, an estimate of the dress’s value is “available on request.” Based on Christie’s overall demeanor in this sale, I can just hear some auction employee saying, “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it!”
To make matters worse, Christie’s announced to the world that the auction catalog will be available for – are you ready? – $95! Yes, you read it right. Is Christie’s in the book publishing business, or is it in the auction business? Those catalogs are printed in Hong Kong and, believe me, they cost just a few dollars each. So, not only is Christie’s getting into your pocketbook for the memorabilia, they’re making a fortune on catalog sales!
Wedding ring given to
Marilyn by Joe DiMaggio
And it gets even worse. Want to attend the actual auction? Well, after you plunk down your $95 for the catalog, you get a ticket. No, not a ticket to get into the auction – a ticket that enters you in a lottery to get into the auction! Yep, the $95 doesn’t get you a seat. But, after paying $95 for the catalog, many people feel like they can’t sit down anyway (if you know what I mean!).
So, with all the catalog sales and the premium they’ll make on the sale itself, couldn’t Christie’s have rented a larger space to accommodate all those who would like to attend the sale in person? You’d think so, but in this case, “you buys your ticket and takes your chances!”
But don’t feel too bad if you’re a member of the general public. There’s a lottery for press passes, too. Christie’s should take a lesson from Butterfield & Butterfield’s first auction of the Elvis Presley Museum Collection. Seats for everyone, press passes for all reporters, and a wonderful display full of excitement and exhilaration. Hospitality and class all the way.
However, when you consider the cast of characters involved in the Marilyn auction, perhaps it makes more sense. First, you have Marilyn’s “estate.” The estate consists of Anna Strasberg (widow of Lee Strasberg) and beneficiary of all Monroe income. She’s the one who benefits from the licensing of Marilyn beach towels, bottles of wine, posters, postcards, you name it. She also gets a ton of residuals from Marilyn’s movies, recordings and other things having to do with her career. Not bad for someone who never knew Marilyn and fortuitously became heir to the estate when Marilyn’s former acting coach, Lee Strasberg, died in 1982.
Marilyn in “The Misfits” (1961)
In 1994 Anna sued Odyssey Auctions – which was planning to sell some of Marilyn’s items – to stop their sale, alleging that Odyssey’s consignor had acquired the items illegally. She eventually prevailed in court after declaring that she would never sell Marilyn’s personal items. Yet not only is she selling items about as personal as they can get (Marilyn’s wedding ring from Joe DiMaggio, for example), she is actually selling some of the items she prevented Odyssey from selling in 1994!
Why is she selling these items now? Hmmmm … could it be a coincidence that Joe DiMaggio just died, and Anna didn’t want to stir the waters while Joe was still around? After all, he certainly would not have approved of her selling off many of Marilyn’s most cherished – and yes, most personal – items!
I love Marilyn. Who doesn’t? I would have loved to see Anna take some of her millions and use them to endow a museum dedicated to Marilyn. Wouldn’t that be the thing to do instead of storing them away for over 30 years and then selling many of them? But then again, why should Anna care? She didn’t know Marilyn anyway.
Shame on Anna Strasberg. And shame on Christie’s for its outrageous catalog price. Will either Anna or the venerable auction house care about anything I’ve said here? Maybe for a few moments, but then the dollars will start rolling in.
Until next time, keep those letters and e-mails coming!
Courtesy of Pop Culture Collecting Magazine
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