The Summer 2013 Catalog Auction - Ends Sat, June 29th

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/30/2013

The career of Marilyn Monroe, like most prolific personalities, was marked by highs and lows. Offered here in this lot is an extraordinarily significant document in Marilyn’s career.

One page, 8.5” x 11”, drafted on 20th Century Fox Film Corporation letterhead, July 26, 1947. A formal letter of acknowledgement in which 20th Century Fox notifies Marilyn that her film contract with the company would not be re-optioned and in turn her employment with the studio was terminated effective as of August 25, 1947. Marilyn’s start with Fox was promising, as the studio appeared to have high expectations for her when she was signed the year prior in 1946. They had helped her craft a great Hollywood name (the studio execs had her change her name from Norma Jean Dougherty to Marilyn Monroe) and she had spent a good amount of time getting singing, dancing and acting lessons. Almost immediately upon signing with the company Monroe was put in films, but essentially all of the roles were extra roles with no speaking lines or significance to the story plot. After about a year of trying, the studio had given up on Marilyn. Despite certainly being disappointed by this notice, Marilyn showed a strong sense of self pride by penning a bold and beautiful fountain pen signature at the conclusion (“9”).

Being fired from 20th Century Fox may have seemed like the beginning of the end for Marilyn, but in reality it was the opposite. After several months back in modeling, Marilyn impressed an executive with Columbia Pictures, and approximately one year after her termination with Fox, Marilyn signed with Columbia. And unlike her former employer, Columbia found a way to utilize Marilyn’s talent, and alas, a star was born!