OAK Auctions set a new record for a small collection of Marilyn Monroe's hair in its October 27 sale, with a final price of $10,177.

The hair is housed in a box decorated with pictures of the star.

Marilyn Monroe's hairdresser used to give out these boxes as keepsakes to friends

It was collected by Monroe's hairdresser, Kenneth Battelle (aka Mr Kenneth), on June 14, 1959.

Kenneth cut Marilyn's hair from 1958 up until her death in 1962.

Battelle used to give these presentation boxes as gifts to friends - although the exact number he handed out is unknown.

David Gindy, founder of OAK Auctions, says: "Even some 54 years since her passing, the icon of American culture continues to captivate fans around the world, as the record-setting lock of hair shows.

"Marilyn Monroe touched so many in so many ways. Marilyn's lock of hair can bring her fans an unparalleled sense of closeness and evoke precious memories of her."

Want your own strand of Marilyn Monroe's hair? Step this way.

Other highlights included Lewis Carroll's own proof copy of his nonsense poem The Hunting of the Snark (1876).

Carroll has initialled it CLD - as his Christian name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. It's dated March 30, 1876.

The book relates the tale of a hunt for the eponymous beast.

Various interpretations of the work have been offered, with some suggesting it to be an allegory on the subject of tuberculosis, which Carroll's godson was afflicted with at the time.  

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