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Marilyn Monroe bathing beauty

Would like to know what your opinion is as to the authenticity of this signed photo by Marilyn Monroe. All responses would be greatly appreciated. Thank you much for your help.

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on January 28, 2020 at 2:16pm

Hi Rich

Thank you for posting.

I have never seen this particular shot before. It is a casual photo by Sam Shaw 1956-7 at Amangansett Beach. The photo itself is quite something. The writing does not resemble hers or any general secretarial, but I think may belong to someone she knew at the time. Perhaps it is the photographer himself? The photo series this belongs in is featured in Chapter 20 of a book by Sam Shaw and her friend poet Norman Rosten. The book is called "Among Friends".

It's quite similar to the signing that had her earlier photographer fooled. The writing also does look a little like Norman Rosten's, of which I found a postcard written to Marilyn from, on the internet. I think it is something she did, get a friend to sign for her. Or maybe Norman's wife Patricia Rosten, who knows. Sadly it isn't Marilyn's own hand. But these are the people around her at the time the photo was taken and the photo itself indicates a source close to her.

To Marilyn from Norman Rosten

To Bernard of Hollywood

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on January 28, 2020 at 3:30pm

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Permalink Reply by Rich Schaefer on January 29, 2020 at 8:04am

Hi Pauline, Thanks for the info on my Marilyn post. The picture of Marilyn was taken by Sam Shaw. Not sure of the date. It was found to have been owned by Dick Herman and addressed to him and his son, Mike. There is a printed note to Mike on the back of this photo. I have included a web site for info on Mr. Herman. He was quite well known in his time politically and a very successful businessman in California and Nebraska. If you have time, take a look and see what you think. https://www.omaha.com/news/gop-heavy-hitter-dick-herman-never-faile... Thanks for all your help ~ Rich

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Berry on January 29, 2020 at 3:05pm

Thanks for the background. What exactly does the printed note on the back say? Very unusual for one of these beach photos to be signed. In fact, I can't find another.

There are usually only two kinds of photos she signed, either well known publicity shots to do with the current movies and very much in studio photo sessions and further back or polaroids her favourite fans The Monroe 5 snapped when she was at a premiere or similar - and she would write on straight away. There is the odd note on paper or incidental object signed, a magazine page, a book cover.

I did find this image on the internet so it is out there as part of this series. I tend to think a request was made, but Marilyn's autograph couldn't be obtained, so someone got a nice photo and signed it to satisfy the request, perhaps even at Marilyn's direction. She was super famous by now, and married to Arthur Miller, and trying have a normal life in the country.

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Permalink Reply by Rich Schaefer on January 30, 2020 at 8:42am

Here's a snap of the message written on the back of the beach photo to Dick's son Mike. As you can see this was printed, which I'm not sure Marilyn ever did on things that she signed. I know this series of beach photos was taken by Sam Shaw in 1957, so time-wise this would fit. I wish I had more info on how this was obtained and if it truly was from Ms. Monroe. I still consider it a treasure. Thanks again for all the help and please let me know what you think about the printing. Don't know if I have ever seen anything printed that was verified as Marilyn's writing. Thanks ~ Rich