In 1946, a talented photographer Richard C. Miller invited a pin-up girl of the American Armed Forces to pose for him in a photo shoot. He didn’t yet know, though, that his 19-year-old swimsuit model Norma Jeane Dougherty would eventually become world’s most iconic famous actress – Marilyn Monroe.

Years later, Richard commented how, as he was taking the beautiful pictures of then brunette Norma, he had no idea those images would become so valuable. For him, “she was just a sweet, attractive pin-up model with a lot of ambitions.”

His entire vintage photo collection, valued at approximately between $60,000 and $80,000, is set to be sold at Santa Monica Auctions on 7th October. One of the highlights of the auctioned photographs will be Marilyn wearing a wedding dress from her first marriage.

Scroll down to see the rare Marilyn Monroe pictures below; you might be surprised to find how sweet and innocent the iconic bombshell blonde looked before she became famous.

More info: smauctions.com

Richard C. Miller photographed a then 19-year-old and brunette Marilyn Monroe

One of the first photographers to “bet” on his success died in 2010 at the age of 98

On October 7th, this year, photographs taken by Richard will be auctioned at Santa Monica Auctions

The value of these early pictures of Marilyn are estimated to be between $60,000 and $80,000

The contract signed by the star will also go to auction

Among the photographs to be auctioned, a photo of Marilyn wearing a wedding dress from her first marriage will also appear