The skintight, glittery dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President’’ to John F. Kennedy in 1962 is heading to the auction block, as are many of her film costumes, handwritten notes, drawings, makeup, jewelry, and other personal belongings — including prescriptions and locks of her hair.
The auctions will be conducted by Julien’s Auctions Nov. 17-19. Among the items to be sold include a sheer black beaded and sequined dress worn by Monroe in the 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,’’ and a letter to Monroe from JFK’s sister Jean Kennedy Smith in which she wrote: “Understand that you and Bobby are the new item! We all think you should come with him when he comes back East!’’
Among the film costume accessories to be sold include a pair of rhinestone earrings worn by Monroe in “How to Marry a Millionaire,’’ and a pair of sequined opera gloves from a scene in “The Seven Year Itch.’’
Monroe’s minaudière, described by the auction house as “a virtual time capsule of one of the star’s nights out on the town,’’ features compartments for loose powder and a cotton buffer, mirror, comb, two Mercury dimes (that’s the nickname for 10-cent coins minted between 1916 and 1945), eight Phillip Morris cigarettes, and a tube of used Revlon lipstick in a color called “Bachelor’s Carnation.’’
Other items to be auctioned include some of Monroe’s watercolor and crayon drawings, a plastic Marilyn Monroe doll from her 34th birthday party, a collection of recipes given to Monroe by her friends, Monroe’s tax records, and such documents as a taxi receipt dated Feb. 2, 1960 (the trip was listed as “From: 904 To: 20th Century’’) and a $150 check that she wrote to her mother dated July 25, 1952.
“More than half a century after her death, the world remains fascinated by Marilyn Monroe’s beauty and talent,’’ said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.
Monroe would have turned 90 this year.