Today, just two days short of what would have been her 87th birthday, two very special Monroe auctions come to an end.

The first, from our sister company PFC Auctions' sale, features a bustier Marilyn wore in Some Like it Hot. It is currently selling for �17,000 ($25,791), with just a few hours left to bid.

The second, less cheery item, will auction at Profiles in History tonight. It is a Monroe-handwritten letter, detailing her worsening depression. It has a $50,000 high estimate.

Marilyn Monroe's Some Like it Hot bustier is auctioning for �17,000 at PFC Auctions

If ever you needed proof of the enduring appeal of Marilyn Monroe, these two auctions provide it.

There are people far more qualified than myself to talk about the reasons why, 50 years on, she continues to play such a prominent role in popular culture.

Her looks, her personality, her affairs. They all play a part, I would imagine.

Rising values

But what I know for certain is this. No film star is capable of exciting auction bidders like Monroe.

It's why values for her memorabilia have consistently excelled at auction.

·         The dressing gown she was wearing the night she died sold for $120,000 in 2009, a rise of 35% per annum on its $6,000 sale in 1999.

·         Likewise her dress from The Seven Year Itch made $5.6m in 2011. It had last sold for just $400 in 1971 - a 27% per annum rise in value.

·         Monroe's autograph grew 7.1% per annum in value between 2000 and 2012, according to the PFC40 Autograph Index.

Look. Past performance is no indication of future gains, and these rarest pieces are not for all pockets - but there is considerable potential here.

The public's affection for Monroe shows no sign of waning - just look at the popularity of the 2011 film My Week with Marilyn.

Whether you have an eye on a potential nest egg, or simply wish to own a stunning piece of memorabilia for what could well be significantly below its future value, it makes sense to get in while you know you can.

The surge of adrenalin you feel when you buy a piece of personal, important Monroe memorabilia is like little else.

Want to learn more?

In the spirit of remembering all that was great about Marilyn we have put together our Top five most shocking Marilyn Monroe memorabilia.

You can also get more information about the Monroe memorabilia market here, with our in depth market report.

Thanks for reading.

Paul

Paul Fraser

P.S PFC Auctions' auction ends today at 2pm EST/7pm BST.