Marilyn Monroe's Auction Is Full Of Gems

The past several years have seen an increased fascination with the life and loves of Marilyn Monroe, and this week the curiosity is bound to reach a frenzy. Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills hosted an auction of Marilyn Monroe's personal effects on December 6, and the late celebrity's so-called Lost Archive is composed of gems which offer a peek into Monroe's glamorous yet overwhelming world. The unedited list of auctioned items is displayed on a staggering 132 pages on the Julien's Auctions website.

Original photographs of the star vied for attention from love letters exchanged between Monroe and her many paramours, and a luxurious black velvet opera coat nearly stole the show from a bias-cut black velvet gown Monroe once wore to a public appearance. Other treasures from Monroe's private collection included a golden Helena Rubinstein mascara, a medley of silverware, a delicately stitched underwear set, and several pieces from the actress's jewelry collection. People Magazine reports that the brassiere fetched a high sum of $20,000, and a beautifully cut silk coat for a monumental $1,750,000.

Though the sanctity of Monroe's private life has been a point of concern for some given the personal nature of the items on the auction block, the sale has illuminated key details of Monroe's life which were formerly shrouded in obscurity. Most importantly, the auction served as a reminder of Monroe's incredible talent and humanity.