Marilyn Monroe's wedding ring up for sale (but
It was the symbol of an ill-fated marriage between two legends.
The platinum eternity band Joe DiMaggio gave to Marilyn Monroe on their wedding day signified the hope of a harmonious future that would never happen.
Just eight months after their wedding ceremony, the couple had separated amid a storm of jealous rows; two months later, the marriage was no more.
Now, the diamond wedding ring that once held such promise is to go under the hammer.
Happier times for Monroe and DiMaggio as they leave San Francisco's City Hall following their 1954 marriage. They would be divorced less than 10 months later
The New York Yankees star bought the eternity ring, set with 35 baguette-cut diamonds (one of the diamonds has been lost) ahead of the couple's wedding on 14 January, 1954.
DiMaggio and Monroe had met two years earlier in an Italian restaurant on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard.
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The chemistry was palpable; their relationship tempestuous but passionate. But from the moment the couple said their vows in an intimate civil ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, the union was doomed.
In September of that year, Marilyn was shooting the now-iconic scene from The Seven Year Itch, standing on a subway grate with her skirt blowing up to reveal her legs.
The diamond eternity ring (right) given to Monroe by DiMaggio (pictured left on their wedding day) was the symbol of an ill-fated union that would not last the year
Jo DiMaggio was on the set of The Seven year Itch when Monroe shot this iconic scene - and the vicious row that followed led to the couple divorcing two weeks later. The dress went on to sell for over $5.5m (3.4m) at auction
A large crowd gathered as director Billy Wilder instructed the scene be shot again and again. DiMaggio, who had visited Monroe on set, was furious at the spectacle and flew into a rage.
Two weeks later, it was announced the couple had separated. In November that year, their divorce was issued.
The historic piece, on sale with California auction house Profiles in History (www.profilesinhistory.com), has a guide price of $300,000 to $500,000. Given the appeal of the screen idol and her one-time husband though, it is likely to fetch much more.
Earlier this year when the white halterneck dress from the Seven Year Itch scene went under the hammer at the same auction house as part of the famed Debbie Reynolds collection, a new Guinness Worl! d Record for memorabilia was set after eager bidders pushed the price up to $5.2m (3.4m).
Up for auction in the same collection is a 1948 to 1949 nude oil of Marilyn Monroe, painted by Earl Moran. The colourful artwork - which Marilyn praised as making her legs look 'wonderful,' is set to fetch $70,000 to $90,000 (43,500 to 56,000).
Marilyn Monroe sat for Earl Moran's colourful oil painting in 1948 or 1949. Monroe was a fan of the work, saying it made her legs look 'wonderful'. The piece has a guide price of $70,000 to $90,000 (43,500 to 56,000)
The Icons of Hollywood auction will take place on December 15, 16 and 17. Visit www.profilesinhistory.com for more details.
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