In a unique TV event, Christie's (auction house) televised live the first fifty-five lots from The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe auction. Prices realized were typically many times over the estimates shown in the auction catalog. Some of the highlights of the auction were:
- Eternity Band
A platinum band set with thirty-five baguette-cut diamonds (one diamond missing), given to Marilyn Monroe by Joe DiMaggio after their 1954 wedding. Original Estimate was $30,000 - 50,000. Price rose very quickly on this item, finally coming down to two bidders for the last few hundred thousand dollars.
Hammer price was $700,000. - Happy Birthday Mr. President Invitation
Program for "Happy Birthday, Mr. President. New York's Birthday Salute to President Kennedy" Madison Square Garden, May 19, 1962, 4 pages. Original Estimate was $10,000 - 15,000This was a highly anticipated item with the bidding a bit slow at the beginning, but then action picked up quickly with an ending Hammer Price of $115,000.
Also Read: Collecting Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia
