Marilyn Monroe Ephemera Collector Scott Fortner
Entertainment memorabilia collector Scott Fortner turns a discerning eye toward the leading glamour queen and sex goddess of all time, Marilyn Monroe. His website and his blog are must reads for Marilyn fans. In the following interview, Scott talks about all things Marilyn.
ephemera: When did you become interested in collecting Marilyn Monroe memorabilia?
Fortner: I don't remember specifically when I became a Marilyn Monroe fan. She's been a source of interest and fascination for me since a very early age. I've been buying Marilyn related pieces my entire life, and my collection includes everything from items that were personally owned by Monroe, such as clothing and furs, makeup, personal items, cancelled bank checks and documents, to Monroe autographs, postcards, books, magazines, photos and other collectibles. I still have a Monroe poster that I purchased about 20 years ago. My collection aspirations focus primarily on Marilyn Monroe personally owned items, which I began acquiring in 2000.
ephemera: Did you begin consciously, knowing what you would collect, or did you just one day discover what you were doing?
Fortner: At first, I did not set out to consciously collect Monroe memorabilia. I just purchased items here and there. I would unthinkingly buy book about Marilyn or a magazine with an article about her whenever I saw one. While my goal wasn't necessarily to have a large collection of books about Monroe, I realized after a few years that I was running out of room for places to store the books! Now, along with books and magazines on Monroe, I also collect auction catalogs. All totaled, I have a library of over 150 books, magazines, and auction catalogs primarily focused on Marilyn Monroe.
One of the catalogs I purchased was the auction catalog from the 1999 Christie's sale, The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe, which showcased Marilyn's personal property and objects she owned. Not long after buying this catalog, I began to see Marilyn owned items originally sold in 1999 being resold at auction, and I thought it would be amazing to own something that Marilyn had owned and touched. The very first Monroe owned item in my collection was a script for a Broadway play, "Maiden Voyage," which was written by Paul Osborne, who also wrote "East of Eden" and "South Pacific." That first purchase in 2000 turned me into an avid "Monroe Owned" collector. Since then, my passion has been collecting Marilyn Monroe owned pieces.
ephemera: What challenges or obstacles do you encounter as a collector? How do you overcome these challenges?
Fortner: The biggest obstacles or challenges I experience as a collector are simply that I cannot afford all of the pieces I'd like to add to my collection. Marilyn Monroe owned property is extremely desirable, and amazingly, some Monroe owned items sell for nearly double--or more--what they may have sold for in the past. For example, in December, 2008, a Monroe owned jacket with a fur collar sold at auction for over $58,000.00. When this same jacket was first sold in 1999, the hammer price was $27,600.00. Film costumes and other high profile clothing items traditionally sell for six figures or more, and the dress Monroe wore when she sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962 sold for an astonishing $1.3 million in 1999. Today, this dress holds a record as being the most expensive ever sold.
Overcoming the financial resources challenge isn't always easy. I simply focus on saving for that next big Monroe item that comes along.
ephemera: What are your favorite items in the collection?
Fortner: I have several items in my collection that I'd say are my favorite pieces. While to me they're all important and special, some are just fascinating to behold:
One of these items would be a natural mink fur collar that Marilyn wore in New York City in the mid 1950s, and also when she was in England filming "The Prince and The Showgirl." She wore this collar often, so I feel it was one of her favorites. I have many photos of her wearing it in different settings and there's video footage of her wearing it as well.
Another favorite item of mine is a silk evening cape that Marilyn wore to the premier of "East of Eden," the 1955 James Dean film. Unfortunately, the dress that accompanied the cape is probably forever lost. I've never seen it up for auction. I think that Marilyn looked truly spectacular at this event, so I feel really lucky to own this piece.
Regarding ephemera pieces, I have several favorites:
Marilyn Monroe's personal Screen Actors Guild (SAG) membership card. This membership card covers 1959-60, around the time Marilyn received the Golden Globe Award as Best Actress in a Comedy for "Some Like It Hot."
An unsigned bank check from Monroe's personal account, written on August 3, 1962. The check is made out to "Department of Water & Power" for $52.59, payment for service from 5/25 to 7/27, 1962. The check was awaiting her signature. On August 4, Marilyn retired to her bedroom around 8:00 p.m. and was found dead in her bed eight hours later. The check was never signed.
A 1959 birthday card from half-sister Berniece, sent to Marilyn on her 33rd birthday.
Monroe's personal script for 1953's smash hit, "How To Marry A Millionaire," with Marilyn's part of Pola circled throughout.
Marilyn's personal album of film stars. In the late 30s and early 40s, packs of cigarettes included collectible trading cards. You could buy an album to store and display the cards, and the album included biographies of popular celebrities from that era. Marilyn's album is full, and it includes Gene Harlow, who was Marilyn's idol when she was little. Also included is a card for Clark Gable, who Marilyn had hoped was her father when she was young. It's interesting that "The Misfits" was the final completed film for both Monroe and Gable. The album also includes cards on Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Gary Cooper. Most fans don't know that Marilyn collected stamps and trading cards. This album is more than likely an early piece from Marilyn's childhood, and was something very special to her. She kept it her entire life.
Monroe's personal magazine collection, consisting of seven gossip magazines. Marilyn is featured on three covers as well as in many articles. The Foto Parade magazine that's part of this collection was the first ever issue, circa 1948. It features Marilyn on the cover, and it introduces her as a new Hollywood starlet. The 3D Movie magazine in the collection is actually pictured with Marilyn holding it!
ephemera: What advice do you have for anyone that might like to collect memorabilia?
Fortner: Primarily, when considering purchasing a celebrity owned item, one should look to see if it's perhaps photographed with the celebrity, which of course helps to verify authenticity. For a film used or worn piece, one should ensure that it actually is the item allegedly used in the film. A collector should also look to verify the provenance on the items being offered for auction. Unfortunately, the celebrity and entertainment memorabilia field is saturated with fake collectibles. Ensuring authenticity is paramount when considering purchasing a celebrity owned or film used piece.
ephemera: Thank you, Scott.
