Seeing Through the Value of Monroe's X-rays

One of the most talked about auction lots in recent weeks was the set of Marilyn Monroe chest x-rays that sold at the Hollywood Legends auction run by Julien's Auction at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The selling price was $45,000. It seems that even the auctioneers were surprised by the figure as their estimated price was $800-$1000. Also, in Julien's Auction press release about the sale, the x-rays are just briefly mentioned while an entire paragraph is devoted to the therapy couch Monroe used in her doctor's office from 1960 until the time of her death.

According to news reports, the x-rays were taken in November 1954 at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Florida and prove Monroe was suffering from endometriosis. According to London's telegraph newspaper, a young doctor obtained the x-rays for use in classes he taught at the center. When the doctor died, his daughter inherited the x-rays and put them up for sale. Although Monroe was in the process of divorcing Joe Di Maggio, the name on the x-rays read "Marilyn Di Maggio".

From a “like, kind and quality” perspective, these X-rays are challenging to price. Certainly there have been many artists producing x-rays of flowers, still life, and other objects and turning them into fine quality photographs. A good example of this is the photograph created by the famous German-Australian fashion photographer Helmut Newton of a hand wearing a VanCleef & Arpels Diamond Bracelet. In April of 2010 this silver gelatin print sold at Phillips de Pury & Company for $18,000.

A couple factors limit this photo’s ability to be used as a comparable piece, though. First of all, although the image is of an x-ray, the actual medium is a silver gelatin print photograph – not the x-ray itself. Secondly, it is important to point out that while the photo features an x-ray of an arm and a hand, the actual subject is the very expensive bracelet worn by the hand. In the case of the Monroe x-ray, it can be assumed that the primary attraction is the human subject of the x-ray. Therefore, a better comparable would be a different x-ray of Monroe or another equally famous person which has sold at auction. Believe it or not, such an x-ray exists. On September 4, 2008 the Fame Bureau in Dartford, England sold an x-ray of Elvis Presley's arm. Since Elvis lived during the same period as Monroe, and is arguably just as famous, this x-ray is a closer match. The selling price on that day was £3,500 (approx. $5,300).

Another factor to consider when valuing the Monroe x-ray is all of the media attention this auction received in advance of the sale. Although media coverage is not something appraisers usually discuss in relation to valuing objects, the effect of the extensive media coverage and the excitement it creates should not be ignored. It would be impossible to look at an auction result of $45,000 for chest x-rays and not acknowledge the effect of such publicity.

The unedited version of this post originally appeared on the blog of Collector Services Appraiser Christian Trabue at appraisemyart.blogspot.com/