It’s easy to collect but.1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteMarilyn Monroe dress sells for $4.6M.
That was a Hollywood headline last week.
Worn by the legendary actress during the filming of Seven-Year Itch, the iconic piece of clothing is referred to as the subway dress. It is just part of a collection started by Debbie Reynolds more than 40 years ago after perpetually waiting for studio auctions that get rid of old costumes.
Immediately, well-meaning friends began nagging me to start collecting items that belong to local celebrities. I could make a fortune one day, they chorused.
To their disappointment, I had to shoot down their suggestion: It’s easy to begin a collection. But maintaining it is another story.
This is a job for well-funded institutions, but perhaps not for a single person or even a group that has no resources. I’m citing the following reasons why it is impractical for an individual to have a local showbiz memorabilia in this country:
