Pop memorabilia under the hammer

Celebrity memorabilia including Marilyn Monroe’s bra, Elvis Presley’s hair and a gown that belonged to Princess Diana is being put up for auction in Macau, organisers said yesterday.

The items are among several hundred pieces of memorabilia – including an unused ticket to the iconic Woodstock music festival – that will go under the hammer at the October 9 auction in the glitzy Asian gambling hub.

Diana wore the burgundy velvet dress to a 1989 event, and Julien’s Auctions, which is running the sale, estimates the gown will go under the hammer for as much as $100,000.

Other items include a black crystal-studded glove that belonged to late pop star Michael Jackson which is expected to fetch about $50,000, as well as Beatles and Jimi Hendrix memorabilia.

A vial of Elvis Presley’s hair, collected by his personal barber, could sell for as much as $10,000, the auctioneers said.

Ms Monroe’s black lace and satin bra is one of a number of items belonging to the late screen goddess that will be on the auction block.

Highlights of the auction will be exhibited in Japan and Chile before the October sale at a Macau resort, organisers said.

The Ponte 16 resort – half-owned by gambling tycoon Stanley Ho’s Sociedade de Jogos de Macau – paid one million US dollars for about 40 Michael Jackson memorabilia items at auctions last year.

Ponte 16 stumped up $350,000 for Michael Jackson’s left-handed glove – worn by the singer when he performed his first Moonwalk dance in 1983.

The items are displayed at a hotel gallery which opened earlier this year.