The biggest star in the world Marilyn Monroe was last pictured blowing kisses to the camera and smiling away, wrapped in a towel. The photograph was clicked by none other than Bert Stern for a Vogue photoshoot in Santa Monica, California in June 1962. These are the star’s last professional photographs taken just weeks before her death. These photographs along with the pictures taken by George Barris, a very close friend of the tragic Hollywood star are expected to fetch up to $6,000 each, according to Express UK.

Both collections are being sold by Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, on behalf of two private collectors. Rachel Peart, director of photographs at Heritage New York said that Stern’s photoshoot for Vogue is considered to be “The last Sitting” Monroe’s last studio pictures. But George Barris had taken a series of intimate shots of the actress were taken later. “So those are technically the last ever studio shots of her. Barris’ shoot took place on July 13, 1962 and Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, making these photos very poignant,” Peart revealed.

The photographs by Barris were taken for a book on Marilyn Monroe that he was working on. When the photographer heard the news of his friend’s death, he scrapped the book and even refused to publish the images that he had clicked. The Hollywood beauty and Barris became friends on the set of “The Seven Year Itch” way back in 1955.

This Vogue collection came to be known as “The Last Sitting” in spite of the fact that Barris’ pictures were taken after a month. There are six photographs from Vogue shoot and six from George Barris’ set, which have been signed by the photographer himself and are original prints. Besides, among Stern’s snaps, there is a black-and-white picture of Monroe lying naked on a bed.

The complete set from both collections is expected to raise a little over $76,000. The online auction will take place over six days from March 10 and March 15. The auction house has told that all the photographs are authentic and genuine prints signed by the photographers themselves. Due to Monroe’s iconic and cult status, collectors all over the world have keen interest in her memorabilia.

For any questions/comments on the article, you may contact the writer at: barnali.ibt2015@gmail.com