Out & About: (Almost) Meeting Marilyn Monroe...
BERT STERN (American, 1929-2013). Marilyn with Blue Roses, from The Last Sitting, 1962.
Dallas is always one to host a great event. Tuesday I had the privilege of attending the preview reception for Heritage Auction's Fine & Decorative Arts event happening this weekend. Let me tell you... the items in the auction did NOT disappoint! While I'd been given the opportunity to identify my top 10 of my favorite lots via their online gallery, I was amazed when I arrived to find a collection of rare Marilyn Monroe framed works adorning the walls. This Hollywood beauty remains forever young due to her early departure... but her legacy as an icon and a rare beauty lives on.
Amidst the passed hors d'oeuvres and gorgeous gilt treasures at the reception I spied not one, not two but four limited edition (read: extremely rare and numbered) "Marilyns" playfully adorning the walls. One was a chromogenic from Something's Gotta Give and was signed as the first of only 35 in existence. It's the image of her with one leg peeking out of the swimming pool. Additionally they had three more stunning framed images of the divine Miss Monroe artfully scattered about the walls. Incredible.
While there I had the opportunity to try on that megawatt 23 carat diamond & emerald necklace. Hello, fabulous! The look of "wow" on my face says it all. It is a stunner in person. Also under the glass was a bounty of "look at me" moment cocktail rings and other sparkling treasures. There was so much to appreciate in this intimate auction setting.
Fear not, readers. The bidding doesn't begin until tomorrow and you need not be in Dallas to score some of these treasures. Visit the Heritage Auction's Fine & Decorative Arts online and bid away (feel free to drool over the Marilyn pieces).
I want to personally thank the team at HA for graciously inviting me to paw at the pretty treasures up close. My delight was being given the opportunity to try things on and learn more about the auction process. I could not have had a better time and am so excited about attending future events (and winning a few coveted lots!).
Editor's note: It's also worth mentioning that my eyes were opened to the shopping possibilities. Heritage Auctions sells Chanel. Yes, Chanel. And a lot of it. Gold rings, diamond jewelry and... yes, handbags (including this pink ostrich beauty)! They also boast an exceptionally rare Hermes Birkin with 18K Gold hardware. Wowzers.
With so many "recommerce" options around and the challenges of trusting an unseen/unknown source, I wouldn't hesitate a purchase with a trusted auction house for a moment. Believe me, the next time I look for a previously loved high end bag I know exactly where I'm shopping. And yes.... they even offer "buy it now" options on many items!
{featured works: BERT STERN (American, 1929-2013). Marilyn with Blue Roses, from The Last Sitting, 1962. // LAWRENCE SCHILLER (American, b. 1936). Marilyn on the set of Something's Got to Give, Page 29, 1962. Chromogenic. // LAWRENCE SCHILLER (American, b. 1936). Marilyn on the set of Something's Got to Give, Page 23 (Roll 14, Frame 17), 1962}
