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Monroe, Clapton, Others at Heritage
The Marilyn lots are particularly interesting. The year was 1962, the occasion was the 45th birthday of President John F. Kennedy, and the site was Madison Square Garden. 15,000 people packed the arena, there to see the celebration to end all celebrations, hosted by the President's brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, and attended by such celebrities as Jack Benny, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Durante, and Maria Callas. But the real star of the show, outshining even the guest-of-honor himself, was a luminous Marilyn Monroe, literally sewn into a flesh-colored, rhinestone-encrusted Jean Louis gown. She caused a sensation when she took the stage, and gained true immortality when she sang "Happy Birthday, Mister President," in a silky, sultry voice that was hot enough to melt a diamond. Of course, the rumors of an affair between the Chief Executive and the winsome starlet only served to add fuel to the fire that was intensifying, moment by moment, in full view of the entire world via television. It was a juxtaposition of both Presidential and Hollywood history that would never be repeated. "What makes this event even more poignant," said Doug Norwine, Director of Entertainment Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries in a recent press release, "is that it would prove to be one of Marilyn's last public appearances. A mere 78 days later, she would be found dead of an apparent drug overdose in her Brentwood home and would become an icon. Just 18 months later, JFK himself would be felled by an assassin's bullet on the streets of Dallas, instantly elevating him, too, to the realm of legend" "The photos we're offering were taken by acclaimed independent photographer Irving Steinberg, who arrived late to the affair," Norwine said, "but still managed to capture Marilyn backstage in all her glory, mere moments after her stunning performance. Steinberg, whose images were purchased by such major publications as The Saturday Evening Post and Look Magazine, was well known for his access to places usually off-limits to other photographers." Also offered are selections from the life of famed member of the Rat Pack Sammy Davis Jr. "Perhaps the single most moving piece from the entire collection," Norwine said, "is the letter written to Sammy by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which the great Civil Rights leader talks about the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, an event that was to be a turning point in the history of the Civil Rights movement. King also references his good friend Harry Belafonte, and praises Davis for his efforts on behalf of equality in the letter." "Also offered in this auction is another outstanding piece of correspondence," Norwine said, "also from Dr. King. In this letter, dated December 20, 1960, Dr. King mentions, 'a sojourn in jail...," discusses the play Kicks and Co., which he calls, 'a work which so perceptively mirrors the conflict of soul, the moral choices that confront our people, both Negro and white,' and thanks Davis for his involvement in the Civil Rights movement. It's a wonderful document, a personal glimpse into the hearts and souls of two great men." Details on the event can be found at http://entertainment.heritageauctions.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=634.
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