$300,452
Description
A large lock of Marilyn Monroe's hair, from the night she performed 'Happy Birthday Mr President' for John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Accompanied by an instant photograph taken at the same event, bearing Monroe's lipstick kiss on the reverse.
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) needs little introduction. An actress, model, and entertainer, she is perhaps the most recognisable of all screen icons.
As such, her memorabilia is highly sought after and continues to be widely collected across the world.
History of the Lock of Hair
On the night of May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe gave one of the most famous performances of her career, during a celebration for President John F. Kennedy’s 45th birthday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Monroe sang a sultry version of 'Happy Birthday Mr President' while wearing a virtually see-through dress, fuelling rumours of a secret affair with the President that have endured to this day.
Just hours before her performance, Monroe visited her personal hairdresser Robert Champion at Coiffures Americana Beauty Salon, located inside Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue.
After cutting and styling her hair, Monroe asked Champion to attend the event with her so he could touch up her hair and makeup backstage.
Upon her arrival at Madison Square Garden, Monroe was presented with her outfit — a flesh-coloured gown designed by Jean Louis, covered in thousands of rhinestones. The dress was so tight she had to be sewn into it, which delayed her stage entrance.
Robert Champion recalled:
“As we stood for a long time backstage at Madison Square Garden, she was very nervous about her appearance. I refreshed her lip color, powdered her nose, checked her blusher, and then she was announced again: ‘Miss Marilyn Monroe, better late than never.’ In her very tight gown, she had difficulty ascending the make-shift stairs and I assisted her to the top where the spotlight hit her. The rest is history.”
The Lock
This large lock of blonde hair was trimmed from Monroe's head by Champion just prior to that iconic performance and remained in his personal collection for decades.
The lock measures approximately 2.57" by 1.18" (7 cm by 3 cm).
It is accompanied by an instant Polaroid photograph of Monroe, taken at a party following the event. The image captures her smiling radiantly, likely in relief after the performance, and bears her lipstick print in place of a signature on the reverse.
Huge Prices for Monroe Memorabilia
For collectors, Marilyn Monroe remains the most sought-after star in Hollywood history. Her personal memorabilia regularly sells for seven-figure sums.
In December 2016, the dress Monroe wore during her performance of 'Happy Birthday' sold at Julien’s Auctions for $4.8 million — making it the second-most valuable dress ever sold.
The record is held by the famous white dress she wore in The Seven Year Itch, which sold in 2011 for $5.6 million.
Includes free global shipping and Certificate of Authenticity.
Purchase
Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday Mr President' Lock of Hair
$300,452
