We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks.

Marilyn photo from Late 1940's

Hello,

My dad received this photo back when he was in the army between 1947-1950. He always raved about his friend giving him a signed Marilyn photo and has worried about it for years because he couldn't remember where he put it. We have since found it! I have searched the internet for this photo and cannot find it. The signature is not anywhere near what I've seen and is spelled wrong. I have read that when she first started signing autographs, she had to ask where the "i" went. Would love to hear your thoughts and comments on both the photo and signature.

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 30, 2014 at 3:30pm

Hi Cindy, that's a beautiful original photo. That's why you can't find it on the internet. I would say it is now unique since I have never seen that particular pose or broach/dress combination before, that's quite a big deal to Marilyn fans. I can say this is the dress she wore to present an Oscar for sound in 1950, the broach was not worn on that evening. This was just after her big break through as a mistress on "Asphalt Jungle" and her hair was in this style at that time.

This would have to be a secretarial, by the process of elimination, because its on an original photo. So it is early Marilyn, but she had been Marilyn since 1947 so well used to spelling her new name by 1950. There is some passing resemblance to the earliest Monroe signatures, but it just isn't her hand-writing on the note either.

Here is the earliest full signature I know of, on her 1947 contract:

I know its a bit disappointing, but really it is a beautiful item, a unique photo. There are new books being published all the time about Monroe and I have never seen this photo before and authors always want photos that are previously unpublished. So the rights to print this make it more valuable. I think that is why some photos go way up on Ebay.

Someone will really want this. Once its on Ebay though, people screen capture and it will be in people's personal Marilyn photo collections in no time.

I will find out who is writing a Marilyn book currently and maybe see if I can send you that direction.

That dress is now in Italy in a lesser known movie star's wardrobe, who also wore it on an occasion.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Stepp on July 30, 2014 at 4:01pm

Wow Pauline! Love your wealth of knowledge! Thank you so much for the info. I will stay away from ebay and wait to hear back from you. Thank you again!

Warm regards,

Cindy

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on August 5, 2014 at 1:58am

Hi Cindy

I haven't had any bites in regards to anyone authoring a book, sorry, its all August the 4th stuff in the Facebook groups where I go. August 4th is 52 years since Marilyn died.

The www.immortalmarilyn.com is a great place to ask someone privately about this photo, in regards to its rarity. Come to think of it, I have seen this dress and broach before, but it was a different pose.

There is a FB group too, you will find a link on the Immortal Marilyn site, they are very knowledgeable over there.

All the best

Pauline

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 30, 2014 at 3:41pm

And here is an example of a 1947-49 signature and hand written message in her own hand.