A Marilyn Monroe and How to Marry a Millionaire Cast Signed Purse
An ivory purse by Theodore of California, bearing the original autographs of Marilyn Monroe and her How to Marry a Millionaire co-stars, including Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Cameron Mitchell, Rory Calhoun, Fred Clark, Percy Helton, William Powell, Alexander D’Arcy, and David Wayne. The signatures were personally obtained by a member of the film’s production crew named Annette during the making of the 1953 Twentieth Century Fox classic. Both Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable inscribed their names, “To Annette,” transforming this elegant accessory into a deeply personal memento from the set. Preserved in remarkable detail, the purse stands as a rare firsthand artifact connecting Marilyn Monroe to one of the most iconic ensemble productions of her career.
Collector’s Note
What makes this purse especially meaningful is that the autographs were not collected for publicity, but for someone who worked alongside Marilyn Monroe and the cast during the actual production of How to Marry a Millionaire. Marilyn’s personalized inscription, “To Annette,” reflects a direct and personal exchange, preserving a moment when she was not simply a screen legend, but a colleague among the crew who helped bring the film to life. The presence of multiple cast signatures together, including Marilyn, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable, transforms this purse into a rare and intimate production artifact, capturing the human connections behind one of the most celebrated films of Monroe’s career.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
@mariylnmonroecollection 
TheMarilynMonroeCollection