Marilyn Monroe Silkscreen Expected to be Sold For Millions

An Andy Warhol silkscreen portrait of Marilyn Monroe is expected to fetch more than $15 million (more than 60,000 times its original price) when it is auctioned off on May 16 at Christie's in New York. The celebrity-obsessed artist made 13 almost identical portraits on Monroe, each with a different color background, shortly after her death. The one up for auction is called Lemon Marilyn. There are also orange, mint, grape, cherry and gold versions. An anonymous collector brought Lemon Marilyn at Warhol's first one-man show at Eleanor Ward's Stable Gallery in New York. The man brought the portrait for a mere $250 in 1962. He has kept it under wraps until it was shown in London on Monday. The portrait will be on display until Wednesday. Orange Marilyn sold for $16.2 million last year. Last year's Christie's auction was very successful as far as Monroe memorabilia. A dress she wore during the filming of "The Misfits" went for $66,000 and her telephone and address book were sold together for $31,200.