Marilyn Monroe's personally-owned and -worn elegant black velvet waist belt, measuring 28.5″ long, featuring a supple black leather inner waistband, black velvet exterior, and matching thick black velvet-wrapped buckle. The back of the inner waistband is stamped with a worn "Saks Fifth Avenue" retailer's label. Monroe is seen wearing this exact belt in photographs taken at Ciro's Nightclub circa September 1951 and at the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Luncheon, held on October 25th, 1951 (see lots 7267 and 7277), and it very closely resembles the one she wears on-screen in the 1951 comedy As Young As You Feel—it is quite possibly this same belt, as Marilyn often supplied her own accessories for wear in her earlier movie roles. She is also seen wearing this belt with a black cape-and-gown outfit on February 14, 1953, in photographs taken at the wedding reception of Hollywood gossip columnist Sheilah Graham and in a photograph taken by Andre de Dienes at a bookstore.
Includes an original semi-glossy 10.25 x 11 silver gelatin print of the image captured by de Dienes, showing Marilyn wearing this belt while paging through Irving Shulman's The Big Brokers, bearing an Andre de Dienes credit stamp on the reverse. In fine condition, with light wear from use. Provenance: The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe, Part of Lot #124, Christie's, October 27-28, 1999. The original Christie's lot tag is attached, stamped with Marilyn's facsimile signature on one side, and photocopies of the original invoice, bidder paddle, and lot description are included. Also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from OneWest Publishing for the Andre de Dienes photograph. A spectacular piece of Marilyn's personal wardrobe, made all the more remarkable by its comprehensive photographic provenance.
