Marilyn Monroe’s personal effects go under the hammer

Marilyn Monroe in the classic film, 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'.

If you ever doubted that the former screen idol and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe could still draw the crowds you might have watched an auction of some her more personal knick-knacks in Los Angeles at the weekend. The event raised more than a million dollars.

But who knew she could draw roses too? On the block at the sale organised by the late actress's estate was a treasure trove of private goodies ranging from bra-pads, other items of clothing, her last will and testament as well as a leather-bound phone book.

But it was a painting of a rose that caught most of the bidders' eyes.

The not-half-bad watercolour, depicting a delicately twisting stem and leaves with a single red rose flower in shades of red, was originally inscribed to John F. Kennedy.

The former president never received it, however, and the artist later changed the inscription to read, "Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe".

A gallery owner from Rhode Island, David Davis, was the winning bidder, plucking the rose for US$78,000 ($111,000). It was not the most expensive item of the auction, however.

That distinction went to the phone book. It fetched US$90,000, in part because of the addresses and telephone numbers listed inside belonging to many of Monroe's famous friends of the era, including Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Henry Fonda and Jean Kennedy Smith, as well as ex-husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller.

It appeared there was nothing too personal from the life of Ms Monroe, who committed suicide in 1962, that could not be put under the hammer.

Court papers from her divorce from DiMaggio were featured in a catalogue that offered 298 different Monroe lots, as well as her acting union card.

Some of her disciples drew the line however at the bra pads and other items of lingerie from her wardrobe.

"Sure, she was a sex symbol," said Mark Bellinghaus, eschewing the chance to own a garter belt or panty hose once worn by Ms Monroe. "These are very private things."

He had already managed to spend US$15,000 on six different items, however, including a sweater and pair of chequered trousers.

- INDEPENDENT