This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/1/2020
Marilyn Monroe's faux pearl necklace that she wore during her historic "Last Sitting" photo shoot during the "Sparkle" session and "The Black Dress with Pearls" session. Legendary fashion photographer Bert Stern was commissioned by Vogue Magazine to take a series of photographs of Marilyn Monroe in the nude, the shoots took place six weeks before her untimely passing.
Props, jewelry, clothing and accessories were all provided by Vogue magazine. Having worked as a professional photographer for quite some time to many celebrities he started to collect small mementos from various sittings he took. This strand of pearls was loaned to him by Vogue Magazine and was broken during the sitting and as such kept as a souvenir and later given as gift to a friend.
In the accompanying letter from Bert Stern (dated 2012), Stern reveals that "the strand of pearls were previously similar to a 1920's flapper necklace but broke and was later reformed into a simple pearl necklace. This was featured in the "Sparkle Sitting" which was Marilyn's favorite sitting of the whole shoot."
This pearl necklace was worn by Marilyn during the "Sparkle" session where Marilyn Monroe was lounging seductively covered in glitter. Marilyn was draped in several different strands of faux pearls throughout the Last Sitting. Marilyn was also photographed wearing these faux pearls during her "The Black Dress with Pearls" session, as the strand of faux pearls broke, they were hastily fixed and the strand was made shorter. Marilyn Monroe can be seen wearing them while she unconsciously recreates her famous "subway dress" scene. The necklace has also been used by Stern on subsequent shoots for various other celebrities.
The "Last Sitting was a series of over 2,700 photographs Stern took for Vogue Magazine in 1962. These photos were taken in 3 daily sessions (from late June 1962 to early July) just six weeks before her untimely passing.
Many photos from this photo session showing Marilyn wearing the necklace, including one where she is pulling at the necklace and is probably the one taken right before it was broken can be seen by copying and posting the following into your browser: http://www.cursumperficio.net/FicheASittingsparkle.html.
Provenance: Originally from the estate of Bert Stern. Very good condition, this necklace was originally part of a longer strand. It measures approximately 28 inches in length and you can see from the close-up image of the clasp how it was made into a shorter strand. Comes with a copy of the original letter regarding it from Bert Stern and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity. Many photos from this photo session showing Marilyn wearing the necklace, including one where she is pulling at the necklace and is probably the one taken right before it was broken can be seen by copying and posting the following into your browser: http://www.cursumperficio.net/FicheASittingsparkle.html.