Marilyn to Highest Bidder

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/13/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Historic nude photos of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1949 when the bombshell-to-be was 22, are set to go on the eBay auction block next month, though some critics are warning that the shots could be almost worthless and buyers should beware, reports Reuters. Accompanying the photos in the sale is the standard model release form that Monroe signed, but because the photos have already been well-circulated for years, the form means little, says those who do claim rights to Monroe's image. On the other hand, Tom Kelley Jr., whose father shot the famous photos (it is the younger Kelly who is putting the photos and form up for sale) told Reuters that the consent form will grant the highest bidder the right to utilize the images in any way he or she wishes. Some estimates say the sale could go as high as $2 million.