Monroe & Presley Auction
Celebrity auctions make big news, especially when big names are attached. Julien’s Auctions , which has orchestrated numerous auctions for names like Cher, U2, Bob Hope, Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne, has a major one planned for November. Here's some highlights from its 2009 auction at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, featuring over 700 celebrity items.
We've included some of the more interesting and expensive lots from the 150 items covering the lives of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.
Check out the difference between the projected and actual sale prices.
Updated Oct. 15, 2010
First posted June 11, 2009
Marilyn Monroe Orange Blouse
Sold For: $23,750
Estimated Auction Value: $7,000 – $9,000
Sherbert-orange, long-sleeved boat neck Pucci blouse of silk jersey, size 12, label reads, “Emilio Pucci/ Florence Italy” and “Made in Italy exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue.”
Elvis Autographed Photo
Sold For: $8,750
Estimated Auction Value: $2,000 – $4,000
Color photograph inscribed to Dr. Nick by Elvis Presley, “To Dr. Nick, My friend and Doctor. Sincerely, Elvis Presley.” This photograph was the cover of a menu used at the Hilton in Las Vegas and was displayed in Dr. Nick’s professional office. A copy of “Dr. Nick’s Memories of Elvis” DVD accompanies this lot. In it, Dr. Nick discusses this item and the other items owned by him in this sale.
13 1?2 by 11 inches, framed
Marilyn Monroe Umbrella
Sold For: $42,000
Estimated Auction Value: $16,000 – $18,000
Evans Sweson Frame white umbrella with wood hook handle. Used in 1949 photo shoot on Tobey/Jones Beach with photographer Andre De Dienes. It was Monroe's first visit to New York and a pleasant reunion with old friend De Dienes. Yellowing and staining present due to age and use.
Marilyn Monroe Evening Jacket
Sold For: $27,500
Estimated Auction Value: $20,000 - $25,000
Blue and dusty rose-colored chiffon jacket with silk-embroidered, flower details, pleated-ruffle edging at hems and collar, hook and eye closure with tightly fitted waist, worn by Monroe in "The Prince and the Showgirl" (Warner Bros., 1957). Monroe played Elsie Marina, the American showgirl, and Laurence Olivier played Charles, the Prince Regent. The off-screen relationship of the pair was reportedly contentious.
Elvis Presley Prescription Bottles
Sold For: $2,880 - $8,960 per bottle
Estimated Auction Value: $800 – $1,200 per bottle
Original prescription bottle for Antivert 25mg chewable tablets, Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, Sodium Chloride, Vibramycin 100mg, “Combid Span,” Urecholine 25mg, Brethine 5mg, Vicon-C, and Benadryl 50mg with original date of prescription. Included in the lot is a DVD discussing the individual items.
Marilyn Monroe Bricks
Sold For: $687.50
Estimated Auction Value: $100 – $200
Two construction bricks from a poolside wall at Monroe’s Brentwood, Calif. home, obtained from the home’s subsequent owner, Betty Nunez. One brick reads, “12305 St. Helena Drive Taken 9/30/97 (poolside),” in black marker.
Marilyn Monroe’s Script
Sold For: $10,000
Estimated Auction Value: $8,000 – $10,000
Marilyn Monroe’s personal script from the film "Some Like It Hot"(UA, 1959), 156 pages with blue cover that reads “Some Like It Hot/Screenplay by/Billy Wilder — I.A.L. Diamond,” includes title page with list of characters and performers, also present are nine additional blue pages with script changes, dating from October and November 1958. Monroe and director Billy Wilder encountered many well documented problems on the set.
More about the movie "Some Like It Hot"
Elvis Presley Desk and Chair
Sold For: $16,640
Estimated Auction Value: $8,000 - $10,000
Wood desk made by Elvis’ uncle, Vester Presley. Kidney-shaped desk with three-drawer console on left side and support leg at right, features metal drawer-pulls, accompanied by brown mid-century chair with silver, metal hardware, on rollers. At the time it was built, it had a built-in tape recorder and TV.
Elvis conducted his business in Graceland, Tenn. from this desk and frequently had his hair cut and dyed while sitting in this chair. The desk was given by Elvis to Dr. Nick to be used in the home Elvis built for Dr. Nick in 1976.
Marilyn Monroe Fur Stole
Sold For: $69,000
Estimated Auction Value: $12,000 – $15,000
White-fox fur stole with a triple-pleated ivory silk lining, label reads, “Teitelbaum Furs/ Beverly Hills.” Often worn by Monroe, accompanied by photographs of Monroe wearing the item.
Marilyn Monroe Signed Check
Sold For: $3,500
Estimated Auction Value: $600 - $800
Marilyn Monroe check, payable to Dr. A Gottesman in the amount of $200.00 on September 23, 1953, The signed check includes her home address, “882 N. Doheny Drive.” Monroe lived there from 1953–1954. Dr. Gottesman was her psychoanalyst.
Name of bank on check: Bank of America
Elvis Presley Lapis Stone Ring
Sold For: $33,750
Estimated Auction Value: $20,000 - $40,000
Lapis lazuli and diamond ring, mounted in 18k yellow gold. Centering an oval tablet of lapis lazuli and flanked by fourteen diamonds, totaling 0.45cts., and graded H-I color and VS clarity. The mounting has a satin finish. The ring weighs 32 gms. This ring was worn by Elvis on his pinkie both on and off stage and gifted to Dr. Nick after a concert because it matched his shirt.
Marilyn Monroe MSG Make-Up Receipt
Sold For: $1,152
Estimated Auction Value: $600 - $800
Receipt in the amount of $125.00 (over $840.00 when adjusted for inflation) reads, in part, “Make-up for special appearance at Madison Square Garden…” issued by Marie Irvine of Long Island. The special appearance mentioned was the birthday celebration of President John F. Kennedy, Monroe’s last public appearance before her death. Marilyn sang her now famous rendition of “Happy Birthday Mr. President.”
Marilyn Monroe Birthday Card
Sold For: $7,500
Estimated Auction Value: $8,000 – $10,000
Painted birthday card from Monroe’s 34th birthday and signed “Joseph Krutak—60.” Signed by the cast of "Let’s Make Love" (20th Century Fox, 1960), which included director George Cukor and actor Yves Montand. Accompanied by a reproduction photograph of Monroe with this item and Montand.