These two original candid photos from May 1962 – when Marilyn sang ‘Happy Birthday Mr President’ to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden – are among several Monroe-related lots going under the hammer as part of the Icons Photography sale at Heritage Auctions, with bids closing next Thursday, October 12.
Both snapshots have a brief description on the verso (possibly written by Frieda Hull of the Monroe Six.) The photo of Marilyn in costume – with publicist Pat Newcomb in the background – has the description ‘lobby of her building,’ and was probably taken en route to the gala. The photo at right – showing Marilyn and Pat in a car – has the description, ‘after JFK birthday ride on way to plane.’ Marilyn is wearing the same green Pucci blouse and white capri pants seen in photos from the rehearsal.
A wire photo from Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio’s wedding day in 1954 is also on offer, while a news shot from the premiere of The Seven Year Itch (1955) includes a caption on the verso.
Marilyn and Jane Russell are pictured in costume for the ‘Four French Dances’ number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Although the sequence was cut, these images (sold separately) were used to promote the movie.
Nick De Morgoli photographed Marilyn in a bathing suit to promote How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), while the photo of Marilyn in a corset – used to promote River of No Return (1954) – has been attributed to Bruno Bernard. (The serial number on the table suggests it was a studio prop.)
This image of Marilyn in her Bus Stop leotard – photographed by Milton Greene during the 1956 shoot – is yet another example of the seemingly ubiquitous ‘cheesecake on a table’ genre.
And finally, this oversize photo shows a be-towelled Marilyn eating breakfast in bed, as photographed by Andre de Dienes for ‘How I Stay in Shape,’ a diet and fitness layout published in Pageant magazine’s September 1952 edition.
UPDATE: The JFK gala photo was the top seller among the Marilyn-related lots, fetching $9,900.
The Marilyn Report 