Price of fame: The unseen letters that reveal the real Marilyn Monroe

From iconic movie costumes to personal letters, the world is about to witness the biggest Marilyn Monroe auction ever. And it’s all on show in Ireland from today. Vickie Maye meets the man behind the auction.

A tube of used Revlon lipstick in ‘Bachelor’s Carnation’ dated 1947; two Mercury dimes, to call a cab, or a friend; eight Philip Morris cigarettes; a mirror, comb, face powder.

They all sat in the gold, jewelled ‘minaudiere’ evening case, its velvet accompanying pouch with a secret compartment for cash and a house key, to be worn around the wrist. Norma Jean Baker’s wrist.