Marilyn Monroe Letters and Artifacts Hit Auction Block for Centennial

For Marilyn Monroe's centennial, Heritage Auctions and Julien's Auctions are offering hundreds of personal artifacts. Heritage's June 1 sale features over 80 items from the collection of Norman and Hedda Rosten, including an eight-page letter from Arthur Miller ($50,000 start) where he confesses to being Monroe's 'antagonist.' Other lots include Monroe's notes from Lee Strasberg's method acting classes ($30,000 and $10,000), her telephone book with contacts like Frank Sinatra ($10,000), and a Fabergé clock gifted to the Rostens' daughter ($80,000). A Christian Dior skirt suit worn at San Francisco airport in 1954 ($20,000) also appears. Julien's June 4 sale, with Turner Classic Movies, offers nearly 200 lots, including a gold-tone evening bag owned by Tommy Hilfiger ($100,000–$200,000) containing Monroe's lipstick and cigarettes, a Jeanne Lanvin gown ($20,000–$30,000), and the gate from her Brentwood home ($30,000–$50,000). X-rays from the 1950s and a 1956 name-change document are also available. Previous Monroe sales include a $4.8 million dress in 2016 and Andy Warhol's $195 million portrait in 2022.