May 30, 2026
The most famous blonde in history is being honored on what would have been her 100th birthday. Over 100 relics from her life will be sold as part of a month-long run of memorabilia auctions called "A Month of Hollywood Legends."
"100 Years of Marilyn," (1) presented by Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies, will be held at The Peninsula Beverly Hills on June 4 at 10 a.m. Online bidding will also take place on the Julien's Auctions website.
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The collection spans her movie career and personal life, including clothes, film scripts, makeup, handwritten notes, signed photographs and the front entry gate from Monroe's Brentwood home. The home was listed as a Historic-Cultural Monument in 2024 (2), meaning it cannot be demolished.
Collector motivations
Julien's Auctions' head of Hollywood memorabilia, Margaret Barrett, spoke to Moneywise about the collection.
"Our items from this auction were primarily sourced from private collectors or estates of those private collectors. Though a number of our lots have been sold at auction before, it's been over 20 or even 30 years since some of these pieces have seen the light of day, so these items now seem new and fresh again," she said.
"One example is the first contract Marilyn signed with 20th Century Fox, which our current consignor bought decades ago. It's interesting to see it now, in a new era. Marilyn was 20 years old when she signed it — too young to sign on her own, as the legal age in California back then was 21, so her guardian, Grace McKee, had to co-sign, even though Marilyn had been married the previous four years."
Barrett said some bidders buy to eventually resell for a profit; however, when it comes to Marilyn Monroe, the majority buy to keep. "They love her, are thrilled when they win a lot related to her and they tend to keep that lot for life."
Barrett said she expects to see a wide range of prices for the property in this particular auction. "We purposefully set up this auction with estimates ranging from $25 to $25,000, giving all who want to participate a chance to hopefully win a lot from this historic moment in Marilyn's story."
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These are conservative estimates, and the auction house expects bids to go much higher.
When asked why Hollywood memorabilia is hard for fans to secure, Barrett pushed back on the premise. "I don't think it is! Julien's has a number of Hollywood memorabilia auctions all year long, and there is almost always a lot one can win — it might not be their first choice, but we always have a nice range for many price points."
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The larger-than-life blonde
Other notable auction items in the upcoming Marilyn Monroe collection include the actress' annotated script and her Max Factor lipstick from "Something's Got to Give," a 1956 Screen Actors Guild membership card and a signed 1960 check from Marilyn Monroe Productions. In addition, a Schwab's Pharmacy receipt from her Beverly Hills Hotel stay and personal garments such as a 1950s brassiere from her estate.
For photo enthusiasts, the collection features a signed 1954 photograph of Monroe and Joe DiMaggio in Japan, a never-published 1962 photograph taken shortly before her death, early career headshots from the 1940s and behind-the-scenes images from "The Seven Year Itch." Other rarities include a 1950s Jeanne Lanvin ivory silk evening gown and an early 1960s Helena Rubinstein mascara.
Julien's Auctions previously broke a world record for the most expensive dress ever sold at auction — the dress Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to then-President John F. Kennedy, which sold for $4.8 million.
Article Sources
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Julien's Auctions (1); Los Angeles Times (2)
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Amanda Smith is an Australian freelance journalist and writer based in the New York City area who reports on culture/society, technology, and health.
