Never-before-seen letters from Marilyn Monroe's personal collection are set to hit the auction block as part of Julien's Auctions' Lost Archives of Marilyn Monroe sale.

The auction will be held next week

The 50s actress kept letters from former husbands Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, as well as fellow stars and are now to be sold as separate lots.

"We've priced them very conservative because we don't know," said Martin Nolan, Exec. Director of Julien's Auctions. "They have never been seen before, this is the first time they have come to the auction block, first time the world gets to see these letters. So we actually don't know where the price will go."

One of the most endearing letters comes from baseball star Joe DiMaggio after learning via the media that Monroe wanted a divorce.

"He writes this amazing letter, beautiful handwriting, very impressive," Nolan said. "But his first and foremost number one concern was he truly loved Marilyn, but he was concerned for her welfare, he felt she looked as though she was about to collapse. He didn't like to see her crying. And then he expressed his love, he expresses his regret and apologies if he had anyway hurt her. And he is begging her to come back to him. So it's a true love letter."

The most expensive lot is also rumored to be one of Monroe's favorite.

"We have this amazing coat that you can see behind me and it's known as Marilyn's favorite coat," Nolan said. "Because when Marilyn liked something she kept wearing it again and again. And there is numerous photographs and videos of Marilyn in the car with Arthur Miller."

"In fact, when she was leaving Lenox Hill Hospital after having some surgery, you can see her with Arthur Miller. You can see her at the airport. She loved this coat, it is in fantastic condition. It was sold initially at her estate auction in 1999, and it comes back to the auction block with an auction estimate of US$80,000-120,000."

Raw behind-the-scenes video footage from the set of The Misfits, which was Monroe's last film, will also be available through the sale.

A black velvet spaghetti strap dress worn by Monroe in 1956 during a press call for the film The Prince and the Showgirl is estimated to sell for US$40,000-60,000.

The auction will be held December 6 in Beverly Hills, California. There are 300 items, including photographs and personal items and records.

Despite having passed away more than 50 years ago, the public's fascination with the fallen star still seems as great as ever.

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