Tragic letters written in her final months, unsmoked cigarettes and clothes belonging to Marilyn Monroe
Celebmirror
Tragic letters written in her final months, unsmoked cigarettes and clothes belonging to Marilyn Monroe
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Intimate personal effects belonging to screen icon Marilyn Monroe are to go on show including tragic letters she wrote and clothes she wore.
Epitomising the high glamour of 1950s Hollywood, the exhibition represents iconic fashion pieces including the sheer beaded dress from ‘Some Like It Hot’.
Marilyn Monroe : The Legacy of a Legend Exhibition will take a behind-the-scenes look at the screen actress’s life through a selection of incredibly personal papers from the estate of Lee Strasberg including Marilyn’s journals and hand written letters.
There are drawings, from naive still life to figure studies, and some poetry which hints at her intellectual curiosity, vulnerability and humanity.
Claire German, managing director of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, where the show is on, said “We’re delighted to present such a multi-dimensional exhibition to the public for the first time.”
Marilyn Monroe No Business Like Show Business
Among the items is a deeply emotional letter from Monroe to Dr. Ralph Greenson, the California based psychiatrist who treated Monroe in the period leading up to her death .
In it she talks of being confined in a cell at a psychiatric centre, writing: “They asked me why I wasn’t happy there (everything was under lock and key; things like electric lights, dresser drawers, bathrooms, closets, bars concealed on the windows — the doors have windows so patients can be visible all the time, also, the violence and markings still remain on the walls from former patients).
“I answered: “Well, I’d have to be nuts if I like it here.”
“I sat on the bed trying to figure if I was given this situation in an acting improvisation what would I do.
“So I figured, it’s a squeaky wheel that gets the grease. I admit it was a loud squeak but I got the idea from a movie I made once called Don’t Bother to Knock.
“I picked up a light-weight chair and slammed it, and it was hard to do because I had never broken anything in my life — against the glass intentionally.
“It took a lot of banging to get even a small piece of glass – so I went over with the glass concealed in my hand and sat quietly on the bed waiting for them to come in.
“They did, and I said to them “If you are going to treat me like a nut I’ll act like a nut”.
“I admit the next thing is corny but I really did it in the movie except it was with a razor blade. I indicated if they didn’t let me out I would harm myself — the furthest thing from my mind at that moment since you know Dr. Greenson I’m an actress and would never intentionally mark or mar myself. I’m just that vain.”
The letter also takes several sentimental turns with Monroe fondly referencing husband Joe DiMaggio .
Monroe closed the letter with, “I think I had better stop because you have other things to do but thanks for listening for a while. Marilyn M.”
Monroe’s final checkbook
Also in the exhibition is a cheque book dated February 2, 1962, and was Monroe’s personal account at Irving Trust Company in New York City, annotated “MM Personal” on the cover.
The checkbook covers Monroe’s New York expenses from February 2 through August 31, 1962, and offers a fascinating look at her expenses during the final year of her life.
Recipients of payments from Monroe’s personal account during her final six months include: Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, the Mexican Government Tourist Bureau, Flatiron Window Cleaning Company, Hedda Rosten, New York Telephone Company, J. Ricky – for “face treatments,” Lena Pepitone, Hattie Stephenson, Empire State Drycleaners and Hand Launderers, Century Furniture Repairs, Exec-U-Car Service, Globe-Star Travel Service, Pollock-Bailey Pharmacists, Marie Irvine – make-up for special appearance at Madison Square Garden, Sutton Wines & Liquors, Madison Avenue Florist, New York State Income Tax Bureau, Department of Labor, and State Unemployment Insurance Fund, among others.
The final check from this checkbook written while Monroe was alive was to Hattie Stephenson, Monroe’s East coast housekeeper, on August 3, 1962.
Marilyn Monroe at premiere of The Rose Tattoo
There is a note on Parkside House stationery, written in 1956 while Monroe was in England filming The Prince and The Showgirl.
The note reads: “I guess I have always been deeply terrified to really be someones (sic) wife since I know from life one cannot love another, ever, really.”
Marilyn had just entered her third marriage and was on location with her new husband Arthur Miller.
Early career personal journal features feelings of loneliness
There is a 1940s to early 1950s black vinyl covered journal belonging to Monroe, with approximately twelve pages of handwritten entries, including Monroe’s 1948 trip to Salinas and Castroville in Northern California and also a line referencing her 1951 film, Love Nest.
On the inside cover, Monroe wrote “Alone!!!!! I am alone – I am always alone no matter what.”
Monroe watercolour nude painting
Titled “Making love sometime,” a watercolor on paper in the show and is a monochromatic abstract representation of two naked figures in bed, executed with a great economy of line.
“The painting is un-signed and framed in a gilt wood frame.”
Marilyn’s cardigan with mink lapel
Among the clothes on show is a white wool cardigan with lace and tulle lining, rhinestone button closure and rhinestone cufflinks.
The cardigan features a removable two-tone mink shawl collar lapel attached with small snaps. Label inside sweater reads, “Bonnie Briar Full Fashioned Fur Blend 10% Angora 70% Wool.”
Marilyn in The Prince and the Showgirl
Among the other notes in the show are an undated note written entirely in Marilyn Monroe’s own hand, reading: “For life It is rather a determination not to be overwhelmed.
“For work. The truth can only be recalled, never invented.”
Costume necklace signed by jeweller Weiss
There is also some of Monroe’s jewels including a rhinestone necklace featuring a continual strand of alternating and round prong set stones set into plated rhodium with hood and chain clasp.
Joe Dimaggio accessory case in the show
There is a a burgundy alligator jewelry case with hinged lid, removable tan suede divided tray that fits into a partitioned interior with matching leather pad. The lid to the case features gold metal letters reading “J Dim” and the front of the case features a three digit combination lock closure with “555” code, a repetition of
Monroe’s husband Joe DiMaggio’s Yankee number was 5.
Marilyn’s designer handbag
Monroe also owned a chocolate brown 1950s alligator handbag which is on show.
The handbag features gold metal hardware and burgundy leather interior with purpose built pockets to accommodate matching accessories including faux tortoise plastic comb, matching leather covered gold metal flint lighter, matching lipstick case containing an unused stick of bright red lipstick, and a matching leather powder compact with mirror.
The items give an insight in to Marilyn’s state of mind
Other make up comes in a ladies evening minaudiere with original box reading “Pandora by Wadsworth.”
The small evening compact features three compartments. When opened the center features a loose powder compartment and original cotton buffer with mirror, the top compartment features a lipstick holder, with a tube of lipstick, a clear plastic comb and two loose mercury dimes dated 1943 and 1945
Marilyn Monroe minaudiere contains cigarette
The lower department contains 8 Philip Morris cigarettes. Each end of the gold metal case is embellished with a citrine crystal floret.
The compact is accompanied by a black velvet and white silk carrying case terminating in a black tassel. The case features a gold metal ring, which slides down below the wrist to hold the case in place.
Marilyn Monroe’s platinum and diamond watch
A ladies platinum and diamond Art Deco cocktail watch. The watchcase is stamped “KO 900 Plat 100 Irid”
and numbered “115557.” The watch and bracelet are set with 71 round diamonds, and two marquise
diamonds. The watch face reads Blancplain and the movement is signed, “Blancpain, Rayville Watch Co. 17
Seventeen Jewels, Unadjusted Switzerland.” The bracelet has two safety chains with fold over clasp featuring
two additional round diamonds. Despite her famous portrayal of the diamond obsessed Lorelei Lee in the
1953 classic Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Monroe owned very few pieces of fine jewelry.
Source: Celebmirror
Tragic letters written in her final months, unsmoked cigarettes and clothes belonging to Marilyn Monroe
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