While Marilyn Monroe’s life has played out in countless books, movies and television shows, fans with some extra money to burn will get a chance to look at her life as few have before. A collection of hundreds of letters written by and to the iconic movie star are hitting the auction block next month.
Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills will be auction off the collection, called Marilyn Monroe’s Lost Archives. There are letters from her The Misfits co-star Clark Gable, Money Business’ Cary Grant and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes co-star Jane Russell. There are also correspondents from her second husband, Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio, and her third husband, writer Arthur Miller.
“I love you and want to be with you,” DiMaggio writes in one heartbreaking letter in 1954 - the year they married and divorced, notes The Associated Press. “There is nothing I would like better than to restore your confidence in me.”
Another letter from DiMaggio expresses the pain he felt when she announced plans to divorce him on television. “My heart split even wider seeing you cry in front of all these people,” he wrote.
In one letter Monroe wrote to Miller, she discusses her insecurities.
Darren Julien estimates that some pieces could go for over $1 million. He anticipates fans from all around the world, noting how rich Asian and European collectors have helped jack up prices for Monroe artifacts.
The auction runs from Dec. 5-6.
Julien’s is well known for their celebrity auctions. This month, they auctioned off items from music icons, including a wedding dress Madonna wore, which went for over $81,000.