Investors with an eye for celebrity memorabilia are in for a treat. Evening gowns, furs and jewellery worn by Marilyn Monroe will go under the hammer at Christie's in New York in October. The celebrity sale of the millennium will include items such as the Happy Birthday, Mr President flesh-coloured, full-length dress she wore at Madison Square Garden in May 1962 during her famous birthday tribute to President Kennedy. e" fabric and is hand sewn with more than 6,000 beads. No guide price has been issued for the dress, which is expected to be the most sought-after item in the lot.

Ms Nancy Valentino, senior vice-president at Christie's, says the collection has been out of sight for more than 35 years. "The images and memories of Marilyn come flooding back in full force from her famous career to her much-talked-about personal life," she says.

Other items include Marilyn's wedding ring from Joe DiMaggio. It is expected to fetch between $30,000 (€28,700) and $50,000. Her shooting script for Some Like It Hot could sell for up to $30,000, according to Christie's, while the sequinned stilettos worn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes have an estimated price tag of up to $6,000.

The entire sale will be on exhibit at Christie's in New York during the summer and will be shown in London in September. The auction will be held on October 27th and 28th.