Monroe photograph sold

Published on Wednesday 18 December 2002 00:00

A PORTRAIT of Marilyn Monroe fetched twice as much as expected at auction last night.

The 1949, black and white photograph, which she dedicated to an agent who helped her career, sold for 14,100, including buyer’s premium, at Christie’s in South Kensington. The estimate had been from 5,500 to 7,000. The photograph was inscribed: "To John, I love you, my Dearest, Marilyn." John Hyde was an influential Hollywood agent with the William Morris Agency who first met Marilyn at Sam Spiegel’s New Year’s Eve party in 1948, when her career was at a standstill.

A pair of Monroe’s shoes also sold for more than the expected price at the annual film and entertainment sale. The dove-grey suede stilettos, made in Italy by Ferragamo, went for 5,287. The estimate was 2,000 to 4,000. They went to an American private buyer.

Prop helmets from the 1977 Star Wars film also sold well.

An imperial forces helmet, expected to fetch 1,000 to 1,500, sold for 16,450 , and an imperial fighter pilot’s helmet, which was expected to fetch 2,000, sold for 14,100.