USA: Items owned by Whitney Houston and Marilyn Monroe up for auction in Beverly Hills

Record ID: 275637

  • Title: USA: Items owned by Whitney Houston and Marilyn Monroe up for auction in Beverly Hills
  • Date: 20th March 2012
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) WHITNEY HOUSTON ARRIVING AT CLIVE DAVIS PRE-GRAMMY PARTY
  • Embargoed: 4th April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVABHLKK95P08ZB1BBXNGA7EPABV
  • Story Text: Celebrity auction house Julien's Auctions displayed costumes and memorabilia from the likes of Whitney Houston, Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy and more on Monday (March 19) in Beverly Hills.
    The public exhibition, which will continue through Friday (March 23), is a preview for the auction happening on March 31 and April 1.
    Highlights include a collection of Marilyn Monroe photos, costumes and a money clip she gave to her makeup artist Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
    "There's a money clip she gave to her makeup artist who worked with her personally and professionally for 16 years and we estimate that to be at $6-$8,000," said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien's Auctions. "She wanted him to make her up if she was to pass away before he passed, and he said sure, 'Drop the body off while it's still warm, and I'll do it.' And she gave him this money clip. It's a 14-karat gold Tiffany money clip, and she said, 'Dear Whitey,' that was his name, 'While I'm still warm, Marilyn .'"
    Up for auction are several of Whitney Houston's dresses, as well as jewelry and costumes from "The Bodyguard," the 1992 film that featured her biggest hit, "I Will Always Love You."
    "There's one gray, velvet gown that she wore at the 38th annual pre-Grammy awards, hosted by Clive Davis, back in 1996," said Nolan. "That's significant because that was the event that Whitney was planning to attend, that night that sadly, she passed away, so it's an important piece. We estimate that at $1-$2,000, but again, now that she's no longer with us, it's likely going to sell for much higher."
    Items range from a $25 green glass Easter egg from the White House to an estimated $70,000 rocking chair from John F. Kennedy.
    "There is something for everyone," said Nolan.
    The 980 lots were obtained from the closing of aN historical Hollywood museum in Belgium. Nolan said that the auction's total merchandise is valued at $1.5 million.
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