Marilyn Monroe Autograph Sells for £3,600 at Woking Auction
Hollywood Glamour Meets Surrey History at Woking Auction
A fascinating slice of Hollywood history with a deep Surrey connection has captured the imagination of local residents after selling for more than six times its estimate. The rare autograph book, signed by Marilyn Monroe and her husband Arthur Miller, went under the hammer at the renowned Ewbank’s auction house in Woking. Bidders from across the region, stretching from Guildford to the quiet lanes of East Horsley, watched in anticipation as the final price reached an impressive £3,600 (£4,680 including fees). The book’s incredible journey began back in 1956 at Weybridge Police Station. Monroe was visiting the UK to film ‘The Prince and the Showgirl' with Laurence Olivier and, under strict Cold War security regulations, was required to register as an ‘alien'. It was during this administrative visit that a local police officer seized the moment, asking the glamorous couple to sign the book for his children, Gillian and Graham. Decades later, this routine police registration has turned into a valuable local treasure, showcasing how Surrey’s historic towns often play host to global icons.
The Bidding War and the Human Stories Behind the Signatures
For Ewbank’s, a long-established family auction house that has served the Woking and broader Surrey community for years, this sale represents another high-profile success. Auctioneer Andrew Ewbank reported fierce competitive bidding both online and on the telephone lines. What made this particular item so captivating to collectors was the rare signature ‘Marilyn Monroe Miller'—a poignant nod to her short-lived marriage to the legendary playwright Arthur Miller, which lasted from 1956 to 1961. The album did not just feature the famous couple; it also contained signatures from other stars of the era, including Alan Ladd, Richard Todd, and the beloved British artist Tony Hart. For local historians and movie buffs alike, the sale highlights the unexpected cultural heritage preserved in our neighbourhoods. It connects the quiet, everyday life of mid-century Surrey constabularies to the glittering, albeit tumultuous, lives of mid-twentieth-century cinema royalty, leaving a lasting legacy for the family who kept the book safe for so many years.
What Surrey Homeowners Can Learn From This Surprise Windfall
This extraordinary sale serves as a brilliant reminder for Surrey residents to check their own attics and dusty storage boxes. You never know what historical gems might be hiding in your home. Many local families are currently undertaking home improvements or clearing out old spaces. If you are planning a major home upgrade and are about to hire local bathroom fitters for a complete bathroom refurbishment, it is highly recommended to do a thorough clean-out of your loft or cupboards first. A single forgotten autograph book, vintage toy, or historical document could easily fund your next household project. Local auction houses like Ewbank's are always keen to appraise items that residents find during these renovations. Keep your eyes peeled at local car boot sales in Guildford and community fairs across the borough. The next big historical discovery could be sitting right under your nose in a cardboard box, waiting to write its own chapter in Surrey's rich local history.
Source: Marilyn Monroe autograph book sells for £3,600 in Surrey
