A vast collection of Marilyn Monroe photographs are to be sold off by the Polish government as compensation from a complex embezzlement scandal in the 1990s.
 Monroe items will see values boosted by the 50th anniversary of her death |
The 4,000 images were taken by the late celebrity photographer Milton H Greene and were given to Poland by a Chicago businessman accused of cheating the country out of millions of dollars. They have been stored in a New York warehouse for years before recently arriving in Warsaw.
Valued at $680,000, the collection includes many famous original images and limited edition prints of Monroe, with the official in charge of the sale stating that she believes there to be some previously unpublished works hidden in its depths.
Also featuring in the vast selection on offer are rare photographs of Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Liza Minnelli, Alfred Hitchcock and Marlon Brando among others.
A date has not yet been decided for the auction, however the photographs will be exhibited at a Warsaw gallery from August 6 - one day after the 50th anniversary of Monroe's death - through to September 7.
Major anniversaries such as the one on August 5 always prompt a sharp rise in value for celebrity memorabilia.
With Marilyn Monroe's autograph already up 7.82% between 2000 and 2011, figures will rise even further as the day renews collectors' interest. We urge our readers to capitalise on this market soon to avoid missing some fantastic returns. Download your free Marilyn Monroe investment report for advice on the current market.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a stunning selection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia currently on offer. Our authentic strand of hair was taken from the night she sang Happy Birthday to President John F Kennedy and makes for a fantastic gift. This superb newspaper clipping was autographed by Marilyn Monroe for a US Navy member on board the USS Benham.
