The dress, which is expected to fetch millions of dollars, will forever be marked in the history books thanks to Marilyn Monroe’s sultry performance of Happy Birthday at Madison Square Garden, New York.
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Julien’s Auctions is at 741 North La Cienega Blvd.in Los Angeles.
This undated photo provided by Julien’s Auctions shows Marilyn Monroe singing her breathless “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Under a bright spotlight, the legendary Marilyn Monroe walked on stage and peeled away her white ermine fur coat, revealing a skintight, sheer, flesh-colored dress that sparkled with over 2,500 handstitched crystals.
According to an article by the New York Daily News, bids are expected in the $2-$3 million range. The dress was last auctioned in 1999 for $1.26 million.
One of the most iconic dresses ever worn by screen legend Marilyn Monroe – the crystal-studded gown that she donned to breathlessly sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 – will go on the auction block in Los Angeles in November.
Julien’s Auctions is offering the sequined stunner November 17 in Los Angeles.
First auctioned by Christie’s in 1999, when it was sold to the late business mogul Martin Zweig for almost US$1.3 million, the dress is being sold by his estate.
She died three months later of an overdose of sleeping pills, aged 36. Kennedy was assassinated the following year.
“It’s like the equivalent of a Monet, just because of its historic significance and its connection to one of the most important actresses of our time”, Julien said in a phone interview.
Zweig, who saw the dress as an investment, kept it in a climate-controlled display case mounted on a mannequin, Julien said.
“It was her intimate tone and projection of the words “Mr President” that would stun the audience, excite the press and become a milestone in popular culture”, says Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions. “It’s never been off it, and is immaculately preserved”.
The dress was last sold at auction in 1999 for $1.26 million, the highest auction price for a Monroe dress to date. They include items from the estate of Monroe’s acting coach Lee Strasberg and from David Gainsborough-Roberts, a British collector believed to have the largest private collection of Monroe costumes.
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Prior to the auction, the “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress will go on an exclusive world tour.
