View full screen - View 1 of Lot 13. "President Kennedy's Birthday Party" Official Ticket | Marilyn Monroe Sings “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” | 19 May 1962.

"President Kennedy's Birthday Party" Official Ticket | Marilyn Monroe Sings “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” | 19 May 1962

Irrevocable Bids

Auction Closed

January 27, 03:44 PM GMT

Estimate

80,000 - 100,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

1 ticket (8 x 3 ¾ in.; 203 x 95 mm). Printed in red and blue, with black and white photographic reproduction of Kennedy, mezzanine section 209, row E, seat 5.

The ticket is in very good condition and is rated a 5 by PSA. For a more detailed condition report, please email brahm.wachter@sothebys.com.

The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.

There are certain moments in American pop-culture history that are transcendent, and tap into a cultural nerve that becomes synonymous with a period of time. In regards to 1960s America, Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday” to John F. Kennedy at his 15,000-person birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in May of 1962 is one of these moments.

Her iconic rendition is now a part of our cultural history. With reach that affected everything from Wayne’s World, to Saturday Night Live, to The Sopranos, and even Kim Kardashian’s 2022 Met Gala gown, the moment seems to be a continual influence and source of inspiration to the mainstream American cultural zeitgeist.

The song, made potentially more dramatic and sexualized given the rumored affair between herself and Kennedy, was one of the last major public appearances for Monroe before her untimely passing less than 3 months later, at the tender age of 36. After hearing the rendition, Kennedy quipped, “I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way." Journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, describing the televised event said that Monroe seemed to be “making love to the president in direct view of 40 million Americans.” The event, hosted for Mr. Kennedy’s 45th birthday, was said to have raised about $1,000,000 for the Democratic Party at the time.

Monroe’s sheer and crystal-emblazoned dress from the event sold at Julien’s Auctions in 2016 for $4,800,000, a record-breaking amount for any dress.

This full ticket, featuring a bold black and white photo of President Kennedy, is graded a PSA/DNA 5, making it the finest graded example by the organization.