Marilyn Monroe autographs are what we call a classic rarity.
She’s how many collectors find their way into the hobby.
And no wonder.
She’s the most intriguing of all Hollywood idols.
Her image still gazes down from billboards and movie screens.
But what makes her signature one of the most sought after of any figure in history?
Let’s start with the obvious.
Demand is enormous
Marilyn Monroe is the quintessential icon.
Demand for her memorabilia is far beyond any other movie star.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
You can’t really compare her with any other icon.
The story of her life…
Her onscreen presence…
Her tragic death.
She was an extraordinary, complex figure.
Every generation discovers Marilyn Monroe anew.
They’re inspired by the way she carried herself.
Her innate sense of style and personal magnetism.
And this kind of long term appeal is what investors are looking for in an autograph.
Most are forgeries
Around 76% of the Marilyn Monroe autographs on the market right now are fake.
That’s not an overstatement.
Some are signed by secretaries.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Some were created by forgers.
But less than a quarter of all Marilyn Monroe signatures are genuine.
The truth is genuine signatures are rare.
She was a huge star, but a surprisingly private person.
While there was no shortage of requests, she rarely signed photographs.
Had she responded to every person, all her time would have been taken up with signing.
Autographed photographs tend to be the most sought after.
No surprises there, as Monroe’s image was such a huge part of her appeal.
They’re also profoundly rare.
The market is tiered
Despite the rarity and popularity of Monroe’s signature, owning one is within reach.
(Image: Paul Fraser Collectibles)
You can get a quality, guaranteed genuine example for below $10,000.
That’s because the market has different tiers.
At the top are signed photographs and letters.
But cheques and album pages are represent a way for anyone to get into the market.
My advice?
Don’t wait too long.
Demand has been rising constantly since Monroe’s death.
In time even these affordable specimen may move out of reach for all but the very wealthy.
Paul Fraser.
PS. I have some exceptional Marilyn Monroe autographs for sale. Click here to find out more.
