Julien’s Announces Historic Auction of David Gainsborough-Roberts’ Marilyn Collection

Not since the Christie’s auction of Marilyn’s estate in 1999 has there been a collection of Marilyn items up for bids quite like the one Julien’s has set for November of this year.

The auction, featuring items from David Gainsborough-Roberts’ incredible and extensive collection of Marilyn’s clothing and personal items, will go on exhibit in England and Ireland before it heads over the ocean to hit the block.  The collection includes such famous items as Marilyn’s black sequined cocktail dress worn in Some Like It Hot to sing “I’m Through With Love”, as well as dresses and accessories from most of her other starring roles, including Niagara, There’s No Business Like Show Business, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Bus Stop.

Also included are pieces from Marilyn’s personal wardrobe, such as the Ceil Chapman gown she wore to the premiere of The Rose Tattoo, household items, correspondence, awards, and much more.

Scott Fortner, another expert collector whose items are currently on exhibit at the Bendigo Art Gallery in Australia, will work with Julien’s  to authenticate and appraise each of the items.

The auction exhibit will open at the Design Centre in London on May 25th, then move to Ireland’s Museum of Style Icons, and finally The Queen Mary 2 in Southampton, England.  It will then move to Los Angeles, where a public exhibit from November 14th-18th will precede the November 19th auction.

This auction is a huge opportunity for Marilyn fans to see some incredible items and will likely bring in the kind of record-setting numbers Marilyn’s costumes and personal items have seen in the past.  If you can’t make it to the exhibit, a catalog will be available from Julien’s in the near future.