Marilyn Monroe's top and Elton's boots sell at auction

A white long-sleeved ladies' blouse with white buttonsImage source, John Rolfe Auctions
Image caption,

The blouse was obtained from a property in Wiltshire

  • Published

A blouse that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe was among the "glam" pop items sold for thousands of pounds at auction.

The Hollywood icon's top sold for £1,650 to a private collector in the south east during an Art and Anarchy auction on Saturday by John Rolfe in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Elton John's "very glam" leather platforms were bought for £1,000 by a bidder in Australia, while the guitar signed by Beatles member Paul McCartney sold for £3,400.

Director John Rolfe said the place he found Marilyn Monroe's garment was "like Madame Tussauds on acid".

Mr Rolfe said he had received a call from a Wiltshire couple who had "a massive collection of mannequins dressed in pop icon outfits" obtained from a museum clear out.

"They had a blouse that was the property of Marilyn Monroe and all the paperwork to go with it," he said.

Image source, John Rolfe Auctions
Image caption,

The platform shoes, made from Italian leather, were bought from the Elton John Aids Foundation Charity Shop in 1995

"I’ve wanted to do a sale like this forever but not been brave enough."

The collection was partly compiled by Rodda Thomas, the landlord of the Crown and Sceptre in Stroud, who had "amassed a really good collection of punk related items" above the pub.

The Art and Anarchy auction collection included 1,116 lots including a watch belonging to the notorious criminal Ronnie Kray and a riot shield made by Bristol artist Banksy for the Dismaland exhibition.

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