10 Pieces of Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia That Are Worth a Small Fortune

June 2026 marked 100 years since Marilyn Monroe's birth, and several high-profile auctions were held to mark the occasion. A range of items connected to the starlet, from some of her most famous outfits to rare photographs to lip pomade she once wore, generated millions of dollars across the auctions. Heritage Auctions released over 80 items from the Norman and Hedda Rosten estate in June 2026 such as personal letters, handwritten notes, poetry, watercolor paintings, and photographs never before publicly shown. Julien's has also featured Monroe items tied to the centennial.

However, you don't actually need the starlet's famed Dior suit from 1954, which recently sold for nearly half a million, to earn extra money selling Monroe memorabilia.

These 10 Monroe collectibles are easier to come by and are worth small fortunes as well.

1953 first Playboy Magazine

Estimated market value: $3,000

Monroe appeared on the cover of the first "Playboy Magazine" ever, published back in 1953. The simple magazine cover features a classic black-and-white photo of the starlet over a plain background.

A well-kept and professionally graded version recently sold for $3,000, and others have sold for more.

Hair strands

Estimated market value: $2,000

It's not likely that many people have authenticated strands of Marilyn Monroe's hair lying around, but they do exist, and they can be worth thousands to collectors.

Several strands of the starlet's locks, which University Archives reports were used to confirm the identity of her father, have sold in recent years for $2,000.

'Some Like It Hot" original poster

Estimated market value: $1,200

Original posters from some of the star's biggest films have also skyrocketed in value.

A well-kept poster for the 1959 film "Some Like It Hot," which features Monroe prominently alongside co-stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, recently sold on eBay for $1,200.

'Monroe's Last Days' newspaper cover

Estimated market value: $510

News of the loss of one of the era's biggest stars naturally made headlines in publications all over the world when Monroe passed away in 1962. Today, the papers announcing the starlet's death, and the stories swirling around it, are worth hundreds to collectors.

For example, an "LA Times" paper from August 1962 with a cover story titled "Marilyn Monroe's Last Days Told: 'Gay, Moody'" recently sold on eBay for $510.

'Niagara' film lobby card

Estimated market value: $495

In old Hollywood, studios used to promote new films by giving theaters sets of images on "lobby cards," which hinted at what the films covered and who they starred. A card featuring Monroe that was released in 1953 to promote the film "Niagara" recently sold on eBay with an asking price near $500.

Vintage Andy Warhol poster

Estimated market value: $400

Andy Warhol made a name for himself in the 1960s and created some of the most famous and well-known pop art works to this day, including his portrait of Monroe. An original poster featuring the starlet's portrait that appeared in the Tate Gallery in the early '70s recently sold on eBay for $400.

And though these images have been reprinted countless times, vintage prints and posters still hold value.

'Vogue' 'Last Sitting' photograph

Estimated market value: $450

Monroe sat for her final photography session for "Vogue" with photographer Bert Stern in 1962. Though only a handful of photos from the session were published, thousands were taken, and the unpublished works are quite valuable today.

A glamorous shot featuring the star and a string of diamonds recently sold on eBay for $450.

Vintage cookie jar

Estimated market value: $415

Among the many, many types of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia collectors are willing to shell out serious cash for is, perhaps surprisingly, a very campy cookie jar. One ceramic jar from 1995 that features Monroe's likeness wearing a pink dress and pearl necklace recently sold on eBay for more than $400.

JFK birthday salute brochure

Estimated market value: $300

In May 1962, a birthday party/political fundraiser was held at Madison Square Garden to celebrate then-President John F Kennedy's 45th birthday. In what would go on to be one of her most well-known performances, Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to JFK at the event.

An original program outlining the event's festivities and guests recently sold on eBay for $300.

1952 LIFE Magazine

Estimated market value: $175

The April 1952 edition of LIFE Magazine would go on to be another iconic Monroe cover. The starlet graces the magazine's front in a simple black-and-white photograph, and the then-rising star is also the subject of a feature story inside called "Hollywood Topic A-Plus."

It's not worth quite as much as an original Monroe Playboy, but well-kept versions of this magazine regularly sell for between $100 and $200.

Bottom line

Reselling memorabilia from a famed figure like Monroe can be a solid approach to make some extra money on the side. 

The recent auctions that featured some never-before-seen items, from handwritten letters to makeup to kitchenware, garnered millions, and the high-profile sales, along with the starlet's centennial birthday, have renewed interest in memorabilia items that are easier for the average person to come by as well. This suggests 2026 auction prices for fresh-to-market Monroe material could set new records for personal artifacts.

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