The iconic Playboy bunny, reimagined by pop art legend Andy Warhol, stands as a testament to the enduring allure of branding. This piece, along with approximately 1,000 other items from the Playboy archives, Hugh Hefner’s personal collection, and the estate of Marilyn Monroe, will soon be auctioned off by Julien’s Auctions, the Los Angeles-based “Auction House to the Stars.”
In March, these collections will go under the hammer, featuring a 1985 silk screen print by Warhol titled Playboy Bunny. Before the auction, selected items will be showcased at Hong Kong’s Fringe Club, highlighting the intertwined legacies of two iconic American figures, Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner, both born in 1926.
Monroe’s career catapulted to fame with her appearance in the inaugural 1953 issue of Playboy, featuring her as the cover image and centrefold. This collaboration not only launched Monroe as a global sex symbol but also cemented Playboy’s status as a worldwide brand. Hefner, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91, chose to be laid to rest next to Monroe, who died in 1962 at 36 from a drug overdose.
This exhibition serves as an introduction to Julien’s Auctions, established in 2003, known for its lively approach to the auction world, distinct from the traditional atmosphere of its competitors.
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“We bring the stars to life through our one-of-a-kind auctions,” shares Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions. He emphasizes the auction house’s collaborations with celebrities across various industries, including film, music, art, and sports.
Julien’s Auctions has managed sales featuring items from the estates of celebrities like John Lennon, Lady Gaga, Banksy, Cher, Michael Jackson, U2, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Noteworthy sales include Michael Jackson’s iconic white glove for US$480,000, Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr President” dress for US$4.8 million, and Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar for US$6 million.
Recently, the auction house made headlines with the sale of a gown worn by Princess Diana, fetching US$1.15 million and setting a record as the most expensive dress of the princess ever auctioned.
“Through these rare memorabilia and iconic artefacts, collectors can immerse themselves in the sophistication, provocativeness and trendsetting elegance of an extraordinary era and own a piece of history that continues to shape our modern world,” Nolan explains.
Positioned in the heart of Beverly Hills, Julien’s Auctions acknowledges the significance of the Asian market. Nolan recounts successful exhibitions across Asia, including Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Harbin, and Macau, and expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming showcase in Hong Kong.
“Marilyn Monroe and Playboy are both widely recognised in Asia, and we are thrilled to showcase some of the highlights from our coming auction,” Nolan says, anticipating the interest of regional collectors in these iconic pieces of American pop culture.
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