This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2024
1954 Marilyn Monroe Handwritten and Signed Letter to Soldier During “Entertaining the Troops” Trip Only Known Letter Relating To Famous Korea Trip
As one of the most beautiful women in the world, Marilyn Monroe was always a shot in the arm for the U.S. Army troops when she made appearances during the Korean War. On one such occasion, in 1954, Marilyn was not prepared for the ever-changing climate of Korea. Having realized she wasn’t properly prepared for the cold weather, she asked her military escort – Ollie Palmer – to see if she could get some warmer clothes. Palmer arranged to have a flight jacket for her to borrow that would be returned as jackets were issued individually and had to be returned to the airbase following a soldier’s tour of duty.
Palmer’s roommate Hilda Benning, who was called “Bugs,” agreed to let Marilyn borrow the jacket, but was insistent on having it returned. Marilyn’s stay in Korea was only four days long as it was part of her honeymoon with baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. This is the only letter that's ever seen auctioned that has a direct connection to her honeymoon with DiMaggio or the trip in general. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were only married for a very short time, and this is an important piece relating to that timeline in February 1954. Monroe, true to her word, returned the jacket and wrote this offered handwritten note of appreciation. This letter is of significance given that no other known inscribed letter written in Marilyn’s hand, mentioning her wearing the famous bomber jacket, is in existence.
The 3.5" x 5" handwritten Marilyn Monroe note reads: “Dear Bugs, Thanks for the loan of your jacket – I didn’t let it out of my sight the whole time – I couldn’t, (Ollie kept reminding me). It kept me soooo warm. Thanks” signed Marilyn Monroe. This note was written on a memo pad from the Hotel New Osaka and dated “Feb. 54” (also in Monroe’s hand). There is a newspaper clipping included with this handwritten letter that shows Marilyn wearing the jacket referred to in the letter.
Authentication: This letter comes with a letter of provenance from Debbie Johnson, who is the niece of Hilda Benning “Bugs”, Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) Letter of Authenticity, and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.