Julien's Auctions Ends 2016 with World Record for Monroe Dress
Los Angeles, California - Julien’s Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house to the stars is now in the Guinness Book of World Records for the second time, having sold the most expensive dress ever to be auctioned. The Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress worn by Monroe on Saturday, May 19, 1962, at a Democratic fundraiser and early 45th birthday celebration for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, was sold by Julien’s Auctions on November 17th, 2016 in Los Angeles for $4.8 million. The dress was sold to Ripley’s Believe it or Not and surpassed all other records for a dress sold at auction. Julien’s Auctions is also in the Guinness Book of World Records for selling Michael Jackson’s white glove for $420,000 in 2009 making it the most expensive glove ever sold at auction.
Under a bright spotlight, the legendary Marilyn Monroe walked on stage and peeled away her white ermine fur coat, revealing a skintight, sheer, flesh-colored dress that sparkled with over 2,500 handstitched crystals. The custom Jean Louis creation was so tight fitting that Marilyn wore nothing underneath and had to be sewn into it at the last minute. When Marilyn appeared and the dress was finally revealed the entire audience gasped.
“Wow, what an honor and such exciting news,” said Darren Julien, President & CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “We never imagined we would be in the Guinness Book of World Records again and I must say it is pretty amazing. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the many people who have trusted us throughout the years with their personal and career items. Can’t wait to do it all over again in 2017.”
The Guinness Book of World Records announcement is one of many accolades Julien’s Auctions has received recently as the auction house continues to break world records. World records were set when Julien’s Auctions sold John Lennon’s original 1962 J-160E Gibson guitar for $2.41 million; The Beatles drum skin from their famous appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 which sold for $2.12 million; Ringo Starr’s 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl three piece drum kit which sold for $2.2 million; Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” jacket which sold for $1.8 million; Ringo Starr’s personal copy of The White Album pressed with #000001 which sold for $790,000; Michael Jackson’s white glove which sold for $420,000 (and also in the Guinness Book of World Records) and Marilyn Monroe’s grave marker which sold for $212,400.
“Marilyn Monroe’s dress was one of the most exciting moments in our auction house’s history. I am thrilled that this was the dress that broke all records and now has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “I am so very proud to be able to have our name in the record books alongside such an enduring and timeless beauty as Marilyn.”
