In December 1961, photographer Len Steckler was at his apartment when Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe dropped by to visit his friend, Pulitzer-prize winning poet Carl Sandburg.

Steckler took the opportunity to take a few black-and-white pictures of the star: four single images and two triptychs, and these are now to be offered at auction. Monroe, then 35, was wearing a sleeveless dress and pointed, rimmed sunglasses whilst chatting easily to Sandburg, 83.

Marilyn Monroe relaxing in New York

At that time, nobody would have guessed that Sandburg who won Pulitzer prizes for both his poetry and a biography of Abraham Lincoln, was to outlive Monroe by several years.

Steckler had forgotten about the photos until recently, when his son discovered the negatives in a drawer. They are now available via www.thevisitseries.com.

The original photos are available for sale over the internet priced between $2,000 and $4,000, along with 250 prints of the pieces.

Monroe remains recognisable all over the world. She was one of the top ten highest earning dead celebrities in 2009, and her memorabilia commands substantial prices.

Memorabilia collectors may be interested to know that a cheque and magazine page signed by the star, as well as an Andy Warhol print of her and even a piece of her lingerie are currently available.

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Image: Photo by Len Steckler, courtesy of Eagle National Mint