In a remarkable showcase of Hollywood history, NCM Auctions is set to feature two iconic items from screen legends Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin in their latest fine arts, antiques, and collectibles sale.
The spotlight shines on Marilyn Monroe’s original black swimsuit, a true treasure of cinema history. Alongside this swimsuit are three pieces of jewelry gifted to Monroe by her husband, Joe DiMaggio, a final script from her 1952 film ‘Clash By Night,’ and two signed letters believed to date back to the late 1950s.
Charlie Chaplin enthusiasts are also in for a treat as the auction boasts the very first ‘Tramp Suit‘ dating back to around 1910. This suit, famously worn by Chaplin in his iconic role as ‘The Little Tramp,’ has a captivating origin story. Originally intended for Chaplin to play the gentleman cad while Billie Ritchie took on the Tramp role, a role reversal occurred due to Chaplin’s protest. Faced with oversized shoes, Chaplin wore them on the wrong feet, giving birth to the beloved character.
The ensemble includes the signature baggy trousers, tight coat, bowler hat, oversized shoes, and cane that became integral to Chaplin’s on-screen persona until he bid farewell to the character in the 1936 film ‘Modern Times.’
The suit’s journey is equally captivating. Following Billie Ritchie’s tragic death in a filming accident, his widow, Winifred, brought the original suit back to the UK. Over the years, the pieces of the suit found their way into various museums and venues, only to be separated. Miraculously, they were reunited when they surfaced separately at an auction in 2005, now in the possession of a current owner.
The Tramp Suit is accompanied by a copy of the book “Chaplin: His Life and Art,” recounting the saga of Charlie Chaplin and Billie Ritchie’s suits, as well as a Bonhams catalogue from 1996 when the suit was previously sold, and relevant newspaper clippings.
Alex McCormick, representing NCM Auctions, expressed his excitement about these exceptional items: “As you can imagine, these items have generated a lot of interest, and rightly so. We’re thrilled to have such prestigious pieces in our latest collectables auction, each with a fascinating history. These are once-in-a-lifetime finds, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to own a significant part of film history. I’m sure they’ll make excellent additions to any collection, keeping Monroe and Chaplin enthusiasts very happy. We expect interested bidders to keep their cards close to their chest, but we’ll be watching on auction day with bated breath and expect some records to be broken.”
The entire catalog for NCM’s latest Fine and Decorative Arts, Jewelry, Watches, Antiques, and Collectibles auction is available online at https://ncm.auction/collectables.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to own a piece of cinematic history. Bidding ends at 7 pm on Thursday, October 26.
