Hollywood icon Jane Russell dies aged 89 - but her legacy lives on in collectibles

Hollywood sex symbol Jane Russell's death at the age of 89 has saddened the movie world.

Russell's 38D-24-36 figure brought her to the attention of billionaire Howard Hughes, who cast the 20-year-old in his western, The Outlaw in 1941.

Such was the impact of the scantily clad Russell on the big screen that the movie was banned by censors and did not appear widely until 1950. A judge at the time commented that Russell's bosom "hung over the picture like a thunderstorm over a landscape".

Russell went on to star in 20 movies including a role alongside Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Paleface before leaving the industry in 1970.

Jane Russell was an original Hollywood pin-up

Her death is likely to see interest in memorabilia associated with the actress grow considerably.

In 2003, an original poster for The Outlaw sold for £52,875 at a Christie's auction in London. Were this item to again appear for sale it could be expected to fetch a far higher price.

Autographs and signed photos of the actress are also likely to be hot commodities both now and in the future.

Investors looking for a slice of movie memorabilia can enter the market at all levels. For example, a bank cheque signed by Marilyn Monroe can be yours for less than £5,000.