Marilyn Monroe Mania

Fans and collectors paid out thousands of pounds for screen icon Marilyn Monroe's clothes and jewelry on Wednesday, snapping up half the items at an exhibition before it had even opened.

The private collection included Monroe's negligee, pairs of the star's favorite earrings and her sunglasses.

"She was probably the most famous person of the 20th century. She was a top-notch icon," owner and exhibition director Tony Wynbourne told Reuters.

Among the highlights is a black lacy bustier worn in the Monroe classic "Some Like It Hot."

Wynbourne had bought the bustier, which is on sale for $12,080, from Monroe's New York neighbor Elaine Barrymore, widow of the pioneering U.S. actor John. The bustier comes framed along with a letter of proof from Barrymore.

"One of the things that the film company was complaining about, was that she had put on a bit of weigh so apparently they made he wear this in the film," Wynbourne said.

The star item of the show is a white cocktail dress made for Monroe by William Trailla, designed for the screen legend to wear in "There's No Business Like Show Business."

"Inside the dress it says 'M. Monroe, Scene 5' but in reality they cut that scene from the film. It's going for 9,500 pounds ($13,500), but had it been in the film it would be going for silly money," Wynbourne said.

Wynbourne's favorite piece is a pair of the star's sunglasses, priced at $7,000.

For those on a more limited budget there are four pairs of crystal ball earrings, for sale at $3,000 and upwards.

"She loved her crystal ball earrings," Wynbourne said, "She obviously had many pairs."

Wynbourne, who admits the Monroe collection has brought a healthy return on an undisclosed investment, says the interest at the show's preview had surpassed even his expectations.

"We were amazed last night. It wasn't only the collectors, it was people who said 'I'd never even thought of collecting Monroe, but when I saw this was on, I thought just to own a bit of history,"' Wynbourne said. "It's lovely."

All the items remain on display at the Bel Air Gallery in north London until March 17.

By Jonathan Kent