Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi... - photo 1
Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi... - photo 2
Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi... - photo 3
Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi... - photo 4

Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi...

Lot 152
16.12.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 425 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
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ID 465335
Lot 152 | Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggi...
Estimate value
$ 50 000 – 100 000
Significant Marilyn Monroe letter handwritten to Joe DiMaggio as found with Joe DiMaggio's personal wallet c.1954 (Joe DiMaggio Collection) (PSA/DNA)

Incredibly poignant and remarkably personal Marilyn Monroe handwritten letter is penned on the reverse of a dry cleaning receipt. The letter reads as follows:

"Dear Joe, I know I was wrong! I acted the way I did and said the things I did because I was hurt - not because I meant them-and it was stupid of me to be hurt because actually there wasn't enough reason-in fact no reason at all. Please accept my apology and don't, don't, don't, don't be angry with your baby-she loves you. Lovingly, your wife (for life) Mrs. J.P. DiMaggio.”

The letter was discovered within Joe DiMaggio's wallet, which contained other objects dating to the 1954 era. Due to years of storage and likely handling from time to time by the recipient, the letter has separated into four equal sections. Although it could be restored to one piece, there is a certain appeal to leaving the note as it had been treasured by Joe for those many years.

The wallet and its contents remain exactly as they were found, including several membership cards issued to Joe (unsigned), a few pieces of foreign currency, and a charming photo of Joe Jr. putting air into a tire. The wallet itself was obviously one of Joe's favorites, as it had been used to the degree that several joints have split at the sides. "JD" monogram is impressed on the front.

The letter corroborates the loving and yet challenging relationship that the two American icons enjoyed. It had been long rumored within the media at the time that their relationship was publicity driven, which subsequently has been proven otherwise by several period documents inclusive of the offered letter. Stunning personal time capsule of items that belonged to one of the greatest baseball players in Major League history and one of the more fascinating public figures of the 20th Century. Includes LOA from James Spence Authentication (Monroe letter and DiMaggio ID card) and encapsulated by PSA/DNA: Letter: GD, Wallet and Contents: Range VG-EX

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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16.12.2020 – 16.12.2020
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