A pair of cowboy boots worn by Marilyn Monroe in her final film are expected to realise $80,000 at a Hollywood auction later this month.
The Hyer-made boots were owned by designer Tommy Hilfiger, who bought them in 1999.
The Misfits was Marilyn Monroe’s last movie. It was made in 1961, and written by Monroe’s then husband Arthur Miller.
Marilyn’s co-star Clark Cable died before the film’s premier, fellow cast member Montgomery Clift died in 1966. Monroe was found dead in August 1962, aged just 36.
The film was a western, and Monroe wore these boots on screen as Roslyn Taylor.
Elegant enough for both Marilyn and Tommy Hilfiger. Image courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
They are tan, with yellow and green toe and shaft stitching, straps and a block heel. Marilyn wore a 7 ½ B.
The boots are listed at Julien’s March 27 sale, Bold Luxury: The LImelight Edit in Beverley Hills.
They carry a $60,000 to $80,000 estimate. The opening bid of $10,000 has already been doubled.
Buyers can also pick up a dress worn by Marilyn at a 1960 press conference to promote the film (top estimate $80,000); a pair of jeans from the 1954 movie River of No Return ($50,000); and a beautiful shining evening bag that once held her cigarettes and make-up – you’ll need up to $200,000 to own that.
Marilyn once carried her ciggies, lipstick and 20 cents in this tiny bag. Image courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
Elizabeth Taylor is also strongly featured in the sale. You can shop for her bags, jewellery, and a costume from Cleopatra, the film she was shooting when she and Richard Burton started their relationship.
A 1964 gold and diamond purse Taylor was photographed with carries a top estimate of $200,000.
Marilyn Monroe is the most collectible and valuable Hollywood star.
The gold standard for Marilyn memorabilia are iconic costumes. The dress she wore as the breeze from a subway grate showed off her legs in The Seven Year Itch sold for $4.6 million in 2011.
In 2016, the dress she wore to breathily sing Happy Birthday Mr President to John F Kennedy sold for $4.8 million.
Like that dress, the Elizabeth Taylor Cleopatra costume here was once loaned to Kim Kardashian.
