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Marilyn Monroe

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:NA Estimated At:NA
Marilyn Monroe

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Auction Date:2020 May 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “Marilyn,” one page, 6 x 8.25, monogrammed "M" letterhead, no date. Letter to baseball great Lefty O'Doul, who she playfully calls "Jimmy Gold O'Doul." In full: "I was so happy you met us at the airport and I got to see you again—your one of my favorite people you know. Thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. I would love to come but the Doctor said I must stay in bed—so I'm sorry Jimmy that I can't be there but I'll be thinking about you. Have a Happy Birthday and a wonderful time." In very good to fine condition, with light creasing and staining. Includes the original transmittal envelope, addressed in Monroe's hand.

The letter is undated, but probably dates from the period of Marilyn's courtship or marriage to Joe DiMaggio, the ex-New York Yankees baseball legend who had been mentored by Monroe's letter recipient, Francis Joseph 'Lefty' O'Doul. Monroe and DiMaggio first met in 1952 and were married in January 1954. Monroe and DiMaggio spent their honeymoon in Asia on a three-week-long baseball junket also attended by Lefty and his wife Jean Gold O'Doul. Monroe divorced DiMaggio in October 1954.

"Jimmy Gold" appears to have been a pet name of Monroe's for O'Doul. Lefty O'Doul was an accomplished professional baseball player in his own right. He served as the manager of the Pacific Coast League team the San Francisco Seals between 1935–1951, during which time he coached DiMaggio. The two remained close friends, and it is likely that Monroe knew him through DiMaggio.