In 1954, skirt blowing and smile beaming on Lexington and 53rd avenue in New York City, Marilyn Monroe catapulted to international fame in the motion picture The Seven Year Itch. Having become a beauty queen, sex symbol, aspiring actress, and a celebrity of continual speculation and interpretation, Marilyn changed the film industry, photography, and the perception of the role of women and the changing American family for decades to come. Even among those still following the effect and impact of her life and contributions, controversy still abounds as to whether her skill as an actress ever truly got the recognition it deserved. Books and revelations seem to continue to come out each year, shedding new light and new spin to who she was and what happened in the circumstances leading up to her death, and its aftermath.

She appeared in many successful films, and due to typecasting, played various roles as part of a discovery process in finding out what she enjoyed the most as well as how to best market her developing skills. She often played what at the time was the new 'Sexy' dumb blonde role in movies such as How To Marry A Millionaire (1953) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). She showed her incredible talent in the now famous Some Like It Hot (1959). Other titles in which she starred were Bus Stop (1956) and The Misfits (1961).

The most indelible items of memorabilia from her life are the photographs, still engrained in the memories of many. In an 8.5 x 10-inch Life Magazine (in color, fairly new at the time), Monroe has signed "Love, Marilyn Monroe" in the lower, right-hand corner across her legs. Her first appearance in Life Magazine being in June of 1952, this photo-op ran in December of 1958. In this particular image, she agreed to have her makeup and hair rearranged so that she might pose as Marlene Dietrich. poses in the appropriate makeup as Marlene Dietrich. Other photos in this collection include a phenomenal sepia-toned photo, and another semi-profile shot with blonde curls, donning a white collar and tan coat.

It is now well known that her relatively short life was plagued by a various pains and problems, some involving prescription drugs, and various relationships that pulled her personal and political life in many unmanageable directions. This beautiful yet troubled woman was found dead on the morning of August 5th, 1962, at her Brentwood, Los Angeles home. Generally regarded as a highly underrated in her day, Miss Monroe was one of the most skilled actresses of her time.

Raleigh DeGeer Amyx is an American history collector http://www.americanheritage1.com. For Well More Than a Quarter Century, Collecting and Preserving History have been Raleigh DeGeer Amyx's Sole Endeavor. He is the owner and curator of the Raleigh Degeer Amyx Collection.

Because of the Reputation of The Amyx Collection, and Mr. Amyx's Knowledge, gained from First Hand Stories and Interviews with former White House Employees, he has been sought out by Authors, Private Non-Profit Entities, Presidential Libraries and by The White House and The Smithsonian Institution for Consultation. The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection is an American history collection http://www.americanheritage1.com and is one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.