Have you heard of Norma Baker? Perhaps you'd be surprised to discover that she is one of the biggest Hollywood icons in history. From sex symbol to gifted actress, Norma Baker is otherwise known as the one and only: Marilyn Monroe. Someone who knows this name very well is German collector Peter Schnug, who has collected everything Marilyn Monroe related since his childhood. In 2015, he made an extraordinary discovery: he found a yearbook with a photo of the young Marilyn Monroe at our Iconic Toys & Movie Merchandise auction. Read the full story below.
I recognised her way of writing right away, this had to be her signature
Biggest German Monroe Collector
Peter Schnug is perhaps the largest Monroe collector in Germany. The 52-year-old film historian has been collecting Monroe memorabilia since the age of eleven and has over 80,000 objects from and about Marilyn Monroe. He also leads the German Marilyn Monroe Fan Club. Furthermore, he wrote a biography about the actress, but it has not been published yet.
A Fascinating Figure
Peter was only eleven years old when he first heard of Marilyn Monroe. 'Bravo Magazine', a German gossip magazine, featured a picture of Monroe on the cover. Peter Schnug felt an overwhelming sense of happiness when he saw this picture of the blonde bombshell. He still can't put his finger on what exactly made the click, but when he has to describe what makes Monroe so special, he says: "I'm fascinated by people who started at the bottom and made their way to the top. Marilyn Monroe was also such a person. She came from a simple background and yet she became an actress with worldwide fame.”
Monroe indeed came from a poor background. She was born in 1926 as Norma Jean Mortenson (or Baker, after her father). Her mother Gladys had a drinking problem and Monroe had a difficult childhood. When she was sixteen, her parents could no longer provide for her, so they gave her a choice: marry her neighbour or go to the orphanage. Monroe chose the first option. While her husband served in the army, Monroe contacted a photographer. He took nude photos of her and thus began her career. It's this sheer determination and entrepreneurism which makes Monroe so special. Schnug says, "I am captivated by her unique personality, beauty and talent. Because of that combination she came so far."
Yearbook
In 2015, Peter Schnug found something unique on Catawiki, a yearbook dating back to the time before Monroe became the world famous star. Back when she was still using her original name, Norma Baker. Marilyn Monroe, as she called herself later, does not have blond hair in the picture in the yearbook, but her natural dark curls. The photo of the sixteen year old is rare and the school yearbook that was auctioned was part of a larger Marilyn Monroe themed auction. It swapped owners for €2,100.
The school yearbook was published in 1942 where Norma Baker was attending school at the Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles. The picture in the book is the only known picture of Marilyn Monroe from that period. It could even be the very first published picture of the model ever. The school yearbook is therefore very popular, perhaps even one of the most sought-after school yearbooks in the world.
Marilyn at Auction
The yearbook was won by Schnug during a special auction at Catawiki in July 2015. Another item that was auctioned was the curling iron used by Monroe during the recording of the movie 'Some Like It Hot'. But Schnug wasn't the only person who was interested in the book. According to auctioneer Barbara Bieshaar, there was a worldwide interest in the school yearbook of the famous American actress. "The picture in the yearbook hardly resembles the sex symbol Marilyn Monroe as we know her. That's why the yearbook is such a special object for collectors", was given as reason for the great interest.
Whenever someone thinks of Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), they usually imagine the actress with her dress billowing up above a subway vent. It is an iconic image from the movie 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955). The dress, designed by William Travilla, was sold at auction in June 2011. Conclusion: Marilyn Monroe, fifty years after her death, is still just as popular as ever.
The Signature
Schnug proudly talks about his discovery: "This yearbook is really unique because it contains the earliest published picture of Monroe and her signature. I got a tip from a friend about this item at Catawiki and immediately realised that this was a very special item. I already own a Monroe yearbook, so I immediately thought, 'I should have that one too!' So I went for it and won the lot. When the book arrived, I was astonished by the signature."
"She signed with 'Jeane Norman'. (Hinting to her real name, Norma Jeane, ed.) I'm really sure this is her signature! I recognise her way of writing as a young woman from other pieces. This looks exactly the same. It's really a treasure for me and I am very proud that this yearbook is now in my possession!”
The yearbook will get a place between other unique objects in Schnug's collection: "I own a movie script with personal notes from Monroe. I also have her own hairpins and gloves and even her birth certificate. Another beautiful find was an article from the German magazine 'Bild', in which Marilyn Monroe talks about her plans for a remake of the renowned film with Marlène Dietrich, 'The Blue Angel'. This movie would have been recorded in West Berlin.”
It says a lot about the enormous charisma of someone who has been dead for more than half a century, that someone can be so happy about an old yearbook, in 2015. How does Schnug explain the attraction?
“Marilyn is the embodiment of the American Dream. She made it from being a Cinderella to a movie star. She was a living legend. You can also see her as one of the big icons of the twentieth century. Her personality and short life made her a myth. And what's most interesting, that man or woman, young or old, everybody finds her fascinating. That's because of her personality, which was so full of contradictions. From the outside she was perfect and beautiful, no one could imagine she had problems. But inside, she was not peaceful at all. She was full of fear and struggled with depression. These contradictions make her so fascinating, in my opinion.”
There is no better way to describe the magic of Marilyn Monroe. If you, like Schnug, are a fan of Marilyn Monroe or other film icons, then pay a visit to our weekly Iconic Toys & Movie Merchandise auction. Unique collector's items such as this yearbook, an original signed 'Game of Thrones' script and many other exceptional items have come up for auction. Who knows what treasure you might find this week? Alternatively if you've already invested in such memorabilia items and are ready to cash in, you can experience the thrill of selling at our auctions by simply registering as a seller to get started.