Marilyn Monroe's last cheque has beaten its estimate by 50% at a Heritage Auctions sale (July 24).
Made out to the Pilgrim Modern Furniture company for a white Roman chest, it was dated August 4, 1962, the day before the actress died from a barbiturate overdose.
 Monroe's last cheque, written the day before she died |
It sold for $15,000 against a $10,000 estimate, a testament to the enduring fascination of Monroe's death with the public.
The amateur psychologists at Heritage Auctions have argued that the cheque could indicate that Monroe's death was not a suicide.
"Would one be concerned with new furniture on the last day of one's life? Probably not!" Heritage states.
We have this superb Marilyn Monroe signed cheque currently available to you.
A Monroe autograph with another remarkable story also performed strongly at the entertainment and music memorabilia auction, beating its estimate by 290.6% with a $31,250 showing.
The movie star made out the superb item to Roy Garrett, a Hollywood policeman who famously waived speeding tickets in return for celebrity autographs in the 1950s and 1960s.
It reads: "To Roy, love and kisses and thanks for keeping me out of the clink! Marilyn Monroe".
The circa 1956 item superbly conveys Monroe's effervescent personality. This, coupled with its unique story, helps explain the strong price.
According to the PFC40 Autograph Index, Monroe's autograph rose 7.82% pa in value between 2000 and 2011. It is currently listed at £6,750 ($10,600), an indication of the very special nature of the signatures at yesterday's auction.
The sale also featured a rare promo Beatles single from their early days, which sold for $35,000.
