Marilyn Monroe's wedding ring from brief marriage to Joe DiMaggio is up for sale

The auction of Elizabeth Taylor's collection at Christie's this December is without question the greatest sale of a movie star's jewellery this year and perhaps ever.

Nevertheless there is a certain movie star's ring, the sale of which is set to overlap with Taylor's auction, which some might find at least desirable as the highlights of that auction.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio during their brief marriage

This is a platinum eternity band set with 35 baguette-cut diamonds (one now missing) which was given by baseball star Joe DiMaggio to Marilyn Monroe on their wedding day in 1954, at a private civil ceremony at San Francisco City Hall.

The ring will be sold at the Profiles in History sale known as Icons of Hollywood on December 15-17, roughly six months after the most iconic piece of Marilyn memorabilia sold for a record sum - the item which probably brought the DiMaggio/Monroe marriage to a close.

That was the white 'subway' dress from The Seven Year Itch which billowed up around Marilyn's legs. It sold for $5.6m as part of the Debbie Reynolds collection. DiMaggio was not a fan of the scene to say the least, and the marriage ended two weeks after he viewed it on set.

A nude painting of Marilyn by Earl Moran also appears in the sale. The artist, who specialised in glamour models and pin-ups painted her for four years following WWII, creating easily his most valuable works.

Marilyn appears naked, smiling and prone in the picture, which captures her blonde bombshell appeal. The star was particularly pleased with the picture, believing that the artist had given a flattering version of her legs.

The painting is expected to fetch $70,000 to $90,000 and the ring $300,000-500,000. It's always difficult to be certain of the limit for Marilyn memorabilia however. We've sold most of ours to eager bidders (although this cheque is currently available). Even her hair is valuable.

Nevertheless, the top item in the sale is still expected to be a pair of ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, which could achieve $3m.


 

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