PERSONALLY OWNED AND WORN
HALTER DRESS

A pearl gray silk dress with the top portion being a fitted halter top and the skirt portion being three layers of gathered silk chiffon; interior label reads: "designed by Jax;" dress appears well worn, as discoloration appears under arms and other staining is evident on interior lining. Marilyn owned a total of four dresses in this style designed by Jax, one of her favorite designers. Marilyn used this personally owned dress as a prototype for the dress made for her 1960 film "Let's Make Love."

Evidently a favorite dress, she wore it in numerous press photographs as well as off-set during the production of her last film, "The Misfits." Interestingly, a triangle-shaped stain appears on the right-breast area and this same exact stain is evident in a photograph showing MM sitting next to Yves Montand. Two Christie's tags still pinned to garment as it was originally intended to be sold there in 1999, but another similar one was instead.

ESTIMATE: $15,000-$20,000

Included are reprinted images of MM wearing this dress.

PROVENANCE

Marilyn Monroe also purchased three other dresses identical to this gray one but in shades of red, orange, and white, two of which were sold in the October 27-28, 1999 Christie's New York auction titled "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe;" Sale 9216, Lots 40 and Lot 41, Pages 63 and 64 of that catalogue; final prices realized were $52,000 (for the white dress) and $167,500 (for the red dress).