from www.canada.com – Marilyn Monroe’s “subway dress” – whose white skirt famously blew up and exposed the actress’s legs in a scene from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch – is expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million when it’s auctioned off this summer.
The dress is one of thousands of costumes and props from Oscar-winning movies that are part of the collection of Debbie Reynolds, who has been acquiring them for 50 years. The sale, to be held in two parts, will also include such iconic garments as the jumper Julie Andrews wore in The Sound of Music, Charlton Heston’s tunic from Ben-Hur, and Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
Profiles in History, an auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia, calls it the most significant collection of Hollywood costumes and props since the liquidation of the MGM and Fox studios in the 1970s. It will be sold in a series of auctions starting in June and continuing in December.
The entire collection contains more than 3,500 costumes, 20,000 photographs, and thousands of movie posters, costume sketches and props.
“I heard the news that MGM was going to sell their inventory of costumes and props,” Reynolds said in a statement, “I went every day for weeks and focused on purchasing the costumes and props of Academy Award-winning films. It soon turned into an obsession. Until now! I’ve concluded that my dream of having a museum cannot be fulfilled, so I have decided to share my fabulous collection with other collectors.”
Part 1 of this auction will have about 700 costumes and props, including Monroe’s subway dress, which the auction company calls the most famous costume in screen history.
Also being sold in Part 1:
1. Gone With the Wind (MGM, 1939): the famous green-velvet “drapery” dress hat with bird adornment, worn by Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara.
2. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (20th Century-Fox, 1953): Marilyn Monroe’s costume worn as Lorelei Lee: signature red sequin dress from Just Two Little Girls from Little Rock opening musical number, designed by Travilla.
3. The Sound of Music (20th Century-Fox, 1965): Julie Andrews’ brown jumper and blouse with original guitar, from Do-Re-Mi.
4. Charlie Chaplin’s “Tramp character” signature bowler-top hat.
5. The Wizard of Oz (MGM, 1939): Judy Garland’s “Dorothy” original blue and white gingham test dress with puff-sleeved white blouse from the first two weeks of filming, designed by Adrian, plus the matching fabled ruby slippers in the “Arabian test” pattern.
6. Ben-Hur (MGM, 1959): Charlton Heston’s signature tunic, robe, and accessories for the grand procession into Rome.
7. Mary of Scotland (RKO, 1934): Katharine Hepburn’s key red velvet and gold trimmed gown designed by Walter Plunkett.
8. My Fair Lady (Warner Bros., 1964): Audrey Hepburn’s “Eliza Doolittle” signature ivory ribbon embroidery lace Ascot dress and hat designed by Cecil Beaton.
9. Singin’ in the Rain (MGM, 1952): Gene Kelly’s herringbone wool three- piece suit by Walter Plunkett from I’m Singin’ in the Rain musical number.
10. There’s No Business Like Show Business (20th Century-Fox, 1954): Marilyn Monroe’s black, white and pink, tropical-print “Heat wave” dress and hat by Travilla.
11. Blood & Sand (Paramount, 1922): Rudolph Valentino’s `suit of lights’ matador costume, designed by Travis Banton.
12. Cleopatra (Paramount, 1934): Claudette Colbert’s signature royal boudoir gown of gold lame and marquis-emerald trim, designed by Travis Banton.
13. River of No Return (20th Century-Fox, 1954): Marilyn Monroe’s saloon girl costume of beaded yellow charmeuse with red scroll trim designed by Travilla, complete with all the accessories.
14. To Catch a Thief (Paramount, 1955): Grace Kelly and Cary Grant’s key costumes by Edith Head, from the romantic scenic drive in a convertible overlooking Cannes.
15. Taming of the Shrew (United Artists, 1929): Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford’s elaborate court costumes. Hers is a peach silk velvet Empire gown with silver lace and bullion decoration by Irene Sharaff, and his is a black and gold tunic with gold lame shirt and decorated cuffs, together with matching hat and yellow-lined boots.