For Immediate Release
Calabasas, CA, May 10, 2010 — Marilyn Monroe’s iconic pink satin gown from the “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes will highlight Profiles in History’s Three Million Dollar Hollywood Auction 40, June 10-12, 2010. The gown was worn by Marilyn as the gold-digging “Lorelei Lee” in one of cinema’s most memorable song and dance sequences as she performed “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and is estimated at $150,000-$250,000.
This unparalleled auction includes numerous collections highlighted by; an incredible collection from The Wizard of Oz, an extensive collection of Elvis Presley clothing, jewelry and personal effects, an impressive collection of stop-motion puppets and props from Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas, a superior collection of Star Wars iconic props from the Academy Award-nominated Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz and an amazing collection of Star Trek tricorders, phasers, medical & engineering devices, alien weaponry and other “Trek” innovations.
Auction highlights
• $100,000-$150,000. Margaret Hamilton’s “Wicked Witch of the West” hat from The Wizard of Oz.
• $60,000-$80,000. Elvis Presley stage-used guitar he gave to Director, Norman Taurog.
• $60,000-$80,000. Darth Vader’s light saber from Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $60,000-$80,000. An X-Wing Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
• $55,000-$75,000. A screen-used animatronic Predator mask and costume from Predator 2.
• $50,000-$70,000. Harrison Ford’s personal script for Raiders of the Lost Ark w/over 1,300 words penned by Ford.
• $40,000-$60,000. Y-Wing Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
• $40,000-$50,000. H.R. Giger hero screen-used Alien creature head from Alien.
• $30,000-$50,000. Michael Keaton’s Batsuit from Batman Returns.
• $30,000-$50,000. Marilyn Monroe test footprints and signature set in cement from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
• $25,000-$30,000. Hero illuminating laser rifle from the original Lost in Space TV series.
• $25,000-$30,000. Wayland Flowers’ original Madame puppet with fainting couch.
• $20,000-$30,000. Princess Leia’s blaster from Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $12,000-$15,000. Clayton Moore’s trademark “Lone Ranger” mask with gloves from The Lone Ranger.
• $15,000-$20,000. Johnny Depp’s signature scissorhand gloves from Edward Scissorhands.
• $15,000-$20,000. Original screen-used “Jeannie” bottle from I Dream of Jeannie.
• $12,000-$15,000. Steve McQueen shotgun from The Magnificent Seven.
• $12,000-$15,000. Bruce Lee’s signature “Kato” hat from The Green Hornet.
• $12,000-$15,000. Yoda’s hero cane from Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $10,000-$12,000. Julie Andrews’ signature “Mary Poppins” carpet bag from Mary Poppins.
• $10,000-$12,000. Fess Parker’s iconic coon skin cap from Daniel Boone.
• $8,000-$12,000. Johnny Depp’s “Jack Sparrow” jacket from Pirates of the Caribbean.
• $8,000-$12,000. Hero Colonial Warrior helmet from Battlestar Galactica.
Please visit www.profilesinhistory.
Special Note: For updates on the highly anticipated auction of the props, costumes and set pieces from ABC’s LOST television series after the series finale visit www.profilesinhistory.com.
* Prices are auction estimates
About Profiles in History:
Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the nation's leading dealer in guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts. Profiles in History’s Auction Division has held some of the most prestigious and successful Hollywood memorabilia auctions. Their auctions include costumes, props and set pieces from both vintage and contemporary film, television, and rock ‘n roll. Profiles in History’s location in Calabasas Hills, CA– virtually a stone’s throw away from every major Hollywood studio – ensures a constant flow of fantastic and rare collectibles. With an extensive network of dealers, collectors, and institutions, they are proud to play an important role in the preservation of motion picture history.
Prior Profiles in History Hollywood auctions highlights include the "Cowardly Lion" costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); a full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); a King Kong six-sheet movie poster ($345,000); the Command Chair from the "U.S.S. Enterprise” ($304,750); the original "Robot" from Lost in Space ($264,500); Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber ($240,000), the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000); George Reeves’ Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500); the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from Alien ($126,500); a full-scale T-Rex head from Jurassic Park ($126,500), the Leaping Alien Warrior figure from Aliens ($126,500), Christopher Reeve’s ‘Superman’ costume from Superman: The Movie ($115,000), C-3PO’s helmet ($120,000), The Wizard of Oz ‘Winkie’ Guard Costume ($115,000); a “Ming the Merciless” cape from Flash Gordon ($115,000) and the Hydraulic screen-used Velociraptor from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II ($115,000).
Marilyn Monroe iconic pink satin gown from the “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. (TCF, 1953) This pink satin gown was worn by Marilyn Monroe as the gold-digging “Lorelei Lee” in one of cinema’s most memorable song and dance sequences as she performed “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. Marilyn’s public appearance dress worn at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday tribute sold at auction in 1999 for an astounding $1,267,500.00. This remains as the single most important screen-worn gown in film history to ever reach the auction block. Indeed, Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” performance has reached such an iconic status that several notorious entertainers have copied it—right down to the pink strapless gown! Auction estimate: $150,000-250,000.
Contact: Lorna Hart
310.859.7701
Marilyn Monroe’s Gown From “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”
The Most Important Film dress To Ever Be Offered For Sale
Along With
Over 1500 of Hollywood’s Most Iconic Collectibles To Highlight
Profiles In History’s Three Million Dollar Auction On June 10-12, 2010
Hollywood’s most recognizable props and costumes to hit the auction block will include; The Wicked Witch of the West’s Hat from The Wizard of Oz, Johnny Depp’s Scissorhands from Edward Scissorhands, Darth Vader’s light saber from Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, Julie Andrews’ carpet bag from Mary Poppins, a “Jeannie” bottle from I Dream of Jeannie, Bruce Lee’s signature “Kato” hat from The Green Hornet and an unprecedented collection of over 300 Star Trek Lots
The original video can be viewed here: Today on msnbc.com
This unparalleled auction includes numerous collections highlighted by; an incredible collection from The Wizard of Oz, an extensive collection of Elvis Presley clothing, jewelry and personal effects, an impressive collection of stop-motion puppets and props from Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas, a superior collection of Star Wars iconic props from the Academy Award-nominated Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz and an amazing collection of Star Trek tricorders, phasers, medical & engineering devices, alien weaponry and other “Trek” innovations.
Auction highlights
• $100,000-$150,000. Margaret Hamilton’s “Wicked Witch of the West” hat from The Wizard of Oz.
• $60,000-$80,000. Elvis Presley stage-used guitar he gave to Director, Norman Taurog.
• $60,000-$80,000. Darth Vader’s light saber from Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $60,000-$80,000. An X-Wing Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
• $55,000-$75,000. A screen-used animatronic Predator mask and costume from Predator 2.
• $50,000-$70,000. Harrison Ford’s personal script for Raiders of the Lost Ark w/over 1,300 words penned by Ford.
• $40,000-$60,000. Y-Wing Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
• $40,000-$50,000. H.R. Giger hero screen-used Alien creature head from Alien.
• $30,000-$50,000. Michael Keaton’s Batsuit from Batman Returns.
• $30,000-$50,000. Marilyn Monroe test footprints and signature set in cement from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
• $25,000-$30,000. Hero illuminating laser rifle from the original Lost in Space TV series.
• $25,000-$30,000. Wayland Flowers’ original Madame puppet with fainting couch.
• $20,000-$30,000. Princess Leia’s blaster from Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $12,000-$15,000. Clayton Moore’s trademark “Lone Ranger” mask with gloves from The Lone Ranger.
• $15,000-$20,000. Johnny Depp’s signature scissorhand gloves from Edward Scissorhands.
• $15,000-$20,000. Original screen-used “Jeannie” bottle from I Dream of Jeannie.
• $12,000-$15,000. Steve McQueen shotgun from The Magnificent Seven.
• $12,000-$15,000. Bruce Lee’s signature “Kato” hat from The Green Hornet.
• $12,000-$15,000. Yoda’s hero cane from Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
• $10,000-$12,000. Julie Andrews’ signature “Mary Poppins” carpet bag from Mary Poppins.
• $10,000-$12,000. Fess Parker’s iconic coon skin cap from Daniel Boone.
• $8,000-$12,000. Johnny Depp’s “Jack Sparrow” jacket from Pirates of the Caribbean.
• $8,000-$12,000. Hero Colonial Warrior helmet from Battlestar Galactica.
Please visit www.profilesinhistory.
Special Note: For updates on the highly anticipated auction of the props, costumes and set pieces from ABC’s LOST television series after the series finale visit www.profilesinhistory.com.
* Prices are auction estimates
About Profiles in History:
Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the nation's leading dealer in guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts. Profiles in History’s Auction Division has held some of the most prestigious and successful Hollywood memorabilia auctions. Their auctions include costumes, props and set pieces from both vintage and contemporary film, television, and rock ‘n roll. Profiles in History’s location in Calabasas Hills, CA– virtually a stone’s throw away from every major Hollywood studio – ensures a constant flow of fantastic and rare collectibles. With an extensive network of dealers, collectors, and institutions, they are proud to play an important role in the preservation of motion picture history.
Prior Profiles in History Hollywood auctions highlights include the "Cowardly Lion" costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); a full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); a King Kong six-sheet movie poster ($345,000); the Command Chair from the "U.S.S. Enterprise” ($304,750); the original "Robot" from Lost in Space ($264,500); Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber ($240,000), the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000); George Reeves’ Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500); the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from Alien ($126,500); a full-scale T-Rex head from Jurassic Park ($126,500), the Leaping Alien Warrior figure from Aliens ($126,500), Christopher Reeve’s ‘Superman’ costume from Superman: The Movie ($115,000), C-3PO’s helmet ($120,000), The Wizard of Oz ‘Winkie’ Guard Costume ($115,000); a “Ming the Merciless” cape from Flash Gordon ($115,000) and the Hydraulic screen-used Velociraptor from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II ($115,000).
Marilyn Monroe iconic pink satin gown from the “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” sequence in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. (TCF, 1953) This pink satin gown was worn by Marilyn Monroe as the gold-digging “Lorelei Lee” in one of cinema’s most memorable song and dance sequences as she performed “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. Marilyn’s public appearance dress worn at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday tribute sold at auction in 1999 for an astounding $1,267,500.00. This remains as the single most important screen-worn gown in film history to ever reach the auction block. Indeed, Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” performance has reached such an iconic status that several notorious entertainers have copied it—right down to the pink strapless gown! Auction estimate: $150,000-250,000.
