Description:

Marilyn Monroe
[New York, NY], ca. March 28 - April 3, 1959
Marilyn Monroe En Route To "Some Like It Hot" NYC Premiere With JSA LOA, Signed Candid Car Photograph
SP

A photograph of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), boldly signed by her as "Marilyn Monroe" at the center. [April 3, 1959.] [New York, New York.] The candid photograph shows Monroe seated in the backseat of a car, wearing a silver evening gown, fur-trimmed stole, elbow-length gloves, and diamond jewelry, en route to the New York City premiere of her latest picture, "Some Like It Hot," on March 29, 1959. Monroe's stunning beaded gown is widely photo-identified. The black and white glossy photograph with scalloped edges is partially date-stamped along the top trim as "Mar." The former collector's inscriptions verso indicate when the picture was taken and when it was signed: "Marilyn Monroe 444 E 57th St. Sat. Mar. 28, 1959" (probably a slight typo, as the premiere was on March 29th); and "Signed April 3, 1959." Expected wear including gently wrinkled corners, scattered wrinkles/scuffs, and staple holes along the left and right photo trim. A minor closed tear along the top edge outside the image field. Mounting traces and tape residue verso. Else very good. 5" x 3.5." Comes with a JSA Letter of Authenticity, submission number 366409, dated June 30, 2025.

Helpful provenance information provided by the original photographer and autograph collector indicates that s/he snapped the photo of Marilyn Monroe on Saturday, March 28, 1959 (almost certainly March 29, 1959), outside of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller's penthouse apartment at 444 East 57th Street in midtown Manhattan. March 29, 1959 was the date of the "Some Like It Hot" premiere at Loew's State Theatre at 1540 Broadway on Times Square. The former vaudeville theatre and movie playhouse built in 1921 had been extensively renovated, reopening for the "Some Like It Hot" premiere. Monroe, gorgeously dressed in a flapper-inspired clinging gown, was escorted to the event by her third husband, playwright Arthur Miller.

The next provenance note indicates that, with paparazzi-like determination, the collector returned six or seven days later to secure an accompanying autograph. Monroe and Miller had several homes including at 444 East 57th Street. The multi-story brick-fronted residential building off Sutton Place was built in 1927 and provides panoramic views of the East River, Roosevelt Island, and the 59th Street bridge. At this address, Miller is known to have written part of the screenplay for Marilyn Monroe's last film role in the Western drama "The Misfits."

The collector's dates firmly place this photograph as contemporaneous to the release of "Some Like It Hot." The Billy Wilder-directed vehicle co-starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis opened on March 19, 1959. The film was critically acclaimed and hugely commercially successful. Monroe later won a Best Actress Golden Globe for her performance as Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk, a singing ukulele player in 1920s Miami.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 3.5"
  • Medium: SP

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March 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
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