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Marilyn Monroe

Hi All

I am very new to autograph collecting and I wanted to share a story about how I came to take such an interest in it.

My work is located with in an older area of the suburb and next door live an eldery lady who I can to know after helping her shift some boxes in her home.

I am currently studying part time at uni my BA. of History and got talking to her about her travel in the USA int he 1950's right up until the 80's. She showed me a box with autographs she collected including Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis, Linda Darnell, Jean Harlow, Sharon Tate and Mary pickford amongst others. As I was going through them I saw  a Marilyn Monroe autograph.

It was on a My Heart belongs to daddy sheet music from the movie lets make love. I said to her that I would get it framed for her which I did and upon taking it back to her she gave it to me.

Her story goes she was in Hollywood during the release of the film and a lady who was lucky enough to get her autograph hated Marilyn and she offered her $5 for it and she accepted.

Now I have the autograph bug and and trying to collect some more from the golden age of Hollywood

One thing she did have and she has since passed away was a letter written by Peg Entwistle who committed suicide by jumping off the Hollywood sign in 1932. I am trying to locate this letter

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Permalink Reply by Ricky H on February 2, 2013 at 8:53pm
Great story. I love hearing stories about old autographs and how they are obtained. Stories like this sometimes come up on eBay that are true but rarely. But sadly you never know what is true unless you study the signature and do research. I'm def not a professional authenticator but just my opinion I have never seen a Monroe autograph like that. I collect classic era autographs like Audrey and Bergman and have studied Monroe's signature many times. That signature could possibly be from very early in her career though.
Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 20, 2013 at 3:50pm

I haven't seen a Marilyn like that either, because it was pretty messy by 1960, which is later in her career, as Lets Make Love, the sheet music this is on, was her penultimate film, and filmed in 1960. And she died in August of 1962.

Its so cute though. Marilyn seemed to re-invent herself for every movie, every husband, and aspects of her hand-writing changed along with her new mode. The pen could be an influence too, a kind of calligraphy pen. But it is quite different to anything else I have seen. 

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 21, 2013 at 2:36am

This is the closest I can find to your Lets Make Love Auto, Simon.

Here is the similar example, where there are three signatures, and this bears some hallmarks of Marilyn's signature, but not sure if it is real or not, and the other is an actual signing, albeit on the run, around the time of Bus Stop, a year or two before Lets Make Love.

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 25, 2013 at 1:19am

I hope no one buys this signed cheque on Ebay:

1959 Signed Cheque Marilyn Monroe "New" 

Its "new" alright. Beware of the brand new seller with 0 feedback. No description and this cheque doesn't look anywhere near old enough. The signature is a forgery. 

Maybe they have figured out cheques are coming up in price because they are more trustworthy. 

Here is more like what it should look like - also made out to Hedda Rosten in 1959

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Permalink Reply by Ricky H on July 25, 2013 at 3:08am

wait so you dont trust that COA?! Matthews Sports collectibles is a world renowned memorabilia company lol Pauline i just wanted to let you know im glad to see someone else that is well versed in Monroe signatures. Im a huge fan of Marilyn and that time period of film stars and it seems like there are not a lot of Marilyn autograph fans on this site. Or at least not as many as there should be! Glad you are a member here and love reading your opinions/insight on her signature! Sending you a friend request now! 

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 25, 2013 at 4:22pm

Hi Ricky

Thanks for noticing - I really can't help myself!

Yes, unabashed Marilyn autograph fan and general researcher (that makes me feel like a newbie the more I research). 

Here's a side by side with what I think is a real similar cheque - also for sale on Ebay, but twice the price:

But hey, maybe my comparison is wrong and the other one isn't real either! (don't think so though). 

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on July 25, 2013 at 7:04am

You have some wonderful posts.   Although I do not know her autograph well I defer to you on that part.  I collect checks and this itself appears consistent with others I have seen of the time.  I suspect if the autograph is not right it may be a secretarial signature.  Unless someone went to a great deal of time and effort to create bank checks and the accompanying stamps and punch marks.  If it is fake I suspect it was done closer to the time of her death than anything recent.   I just would be surprised if anyone would go to that much effort to make even a couple thousand when buying an old photo or a pack of 50 year old index cards would be easier.

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on July 25, 2013 at 7:08am

I just looked and there is a PSA-DNA check that is from the same bank and has the same hand done check number change.  I will try to put the link here not very good at doing that but here goes.  Again I am not familiar enough with her autograph to give an opinion on that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marilyn-Monroe-PSA-DNA-COA-PHOTO-FRAMED-PSA...

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 25, 2013 at 4:27pm

Thanks Scott, I have put these two cheques together in the above post so anyone can compare side by side. The actual signature is far too different to the real one, even though Marilyn did sign in different ways, the different way was always consistent to itself - if you know what I mean? she didn't change personalities between the Marilyn and the Monroe, like on the forged one.

Just my opinion of course. 

I would much rather pay the $4k than the $2k. For such a good price, I think people are onto it being a forgery.

Permalink Reply by ParisBlues on July 25, 2013 at 12:02pm

This check is 100% authentic. Marilyn began to use these kind of checks in october 1959 simultaneously with the old design Colonial Trust Company checks. In january 1960 she stopped to use the old design checks. And she stopped to use the new design Colonial Trust Company checks in december 1960.

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 25, 2013 at 3:28pm

The cheque itself is likely authentic. These blank ones are sold on Ebay. They look newer because they haven't been used until now. 

Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on July 25, 2013 at 4:34pm

OK, I have clearly labelled the cheques now.

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