Monroe "Subway" Dress Sells for $5.6 Million

CNN reports on the Profiles in History auction in Beverly Hills, CA including items from the Debbie Reynolds collection.

Included in the sale were several items and dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe in her movies, including the famous "subway dress" (see image). The dress was estimated to sell for $2 million, but hammered down at $4.6 million plus a $1 million buyers premium. Other Monroe items also sold extremely well at the sale. The previous record for a Monroe movie dress was in 1999, with one selling for $1.26 million.

The Reynolds Hollywood history collection contains over 3,500 pieces,with other important items such as a pair of Ruby slippers and a blue dress from the Wizard of Oz (extras which did not make the film sold for a combined $1.75 million), a Charlie Chaplin bowler hat selling for $135,000, and a Gary Cooper/Sgt York uniform selling for $67.000.00.
CNN Entertainment reports

Marilyn Monroe's white "subway" dress sold for more than $5.6 million in a Beverly Hills, California auction Saturday night in which bidders paid another $2.7 million for three other Monroe movie outfits.

It was the first in a series of auctions to sell the massive Hollywood history collection that singer, dancer and actress Debbie Reynolds accumulated over the past 50 years.

Collector Keya Morgan said Saturday's bids were "totally crazy, especially in this recession."

Bidding for the iconic ivory pleated dress Monroe wore in "The Seven Year Itch" was "totally magical," Morgan said.

Reynolds was in tears when, after 20 minutes of drama, the gavel sounded an end to bidding with the price at $4.6 million.

With the auction company getting a $1 million commission, the buyer will pay $5.6 million. It had been expected to sell for $2 million, the auction house, Profiles in History, said.

The buyer, who was relaying his bids over a telephone, was not immediately identified.

The red-sequined showgirl gown and a feathered hat Monroe wore in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" sold for $1.47 million. The expected price was $300,000.

Monroe's costumes from "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "River of No Return" brought another $1.2 million Saturday.

To read the complet CNN article, click HERE.

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