Sold For $21,655
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Original vintage matte-finish 2.25 x 2.75 passport photo of the beautiful Marilyn Monroe in a demure front-facing pose, signed and inscribed in red ballpoint, “To Mr. Bolds, Thanks and my warmest regards, Marilyn Monroe DiMaggio.” The reverse is annotated in another hand. In very fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. Accompanied by a photo containing images of an article detailing the origin of this signed photograph and Monroe’s pre-honeymoon passport dilemma.
On January 29, 1954, just two weeks after their highly publicized wedding, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio visited the Federal Building in San Francisco to obtain their passports for an upcoming trip to Japan. This trip was part of their honeymoon plans, soon to be a mixture of business and pleasure: Monroe performed for U.S. troops in Korea in February, and DiMaggio consulted with various Japanese baseball teams for their upcoming spring training. However, when they arrived at the Federal Building, the passport process was put on hold when it was discovered that Monroe didn’t have her requisite passport picture.
The fast-thinking DiMaggio had an idea. He left Monroe at the office, where she continued with the paperwork, and he whisked over to a Market Street arcade with a photograph of his famous wife. A half hour later, he returned with a group of passport-sized photos and handed one to passport officer Harry E. Bolds, the very “Mr. Bolds” inscribed on the offered photograph. Although this is not the specific passport used in Monroe’s booklet, this photo (given the recipient’s name and identical imagery) appears to be one of the handful that DiMaggio had hastily developed.
On her passport application, Monroe listed her legal name as ‘Norma Jeane DiMaggio,’ reflecting her new identity as Joe’s wife, a decision also reflected in our photograph. Moreover, Monroe’s choice to list DiMaggio as her emergency contact further highlighted her trust and connection with him at that moment in their relationship. The address she provided, ‘2150 Beach Street,’ was DiMaggio’s residence in San Francisco, where the newlyweds were staying. This marked a rare moment of stability for Monroe, who had long searched for a sense of home and belonging.
The Monroe-DiMaggio trip proved to be a turning point and a glimpse into each other’s true nature and celebrity status. While Monroe’s performances for the troops in Korea were met with overwhelming adoration, DiMaggio reportedly felt uneasy about the attention she received, highlighting the growing tension between her stardom and his desire for a more traditional partnership. Despite their eventual separation later that year, the couple’s stop at the Federal Building remains a poignant reminder of the brief yet impactful chapter they shared as a married couple.
The Marc and Mary Perkins Collection.
