Dear Marilyn. The Unseen Letters and Photographs

Dear Marilyn. The Unseen Letters and Photographs
Author: Sam Shaw

An intimate portrait of Marilyn Monroe, captured by her confidant Sam Shaw. Now revealed in words and images.

Dear Marilyn offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes of the life of Marilyn Monroe – the icon who forever changed Hollywood. This extraordinary coffee table book features for the first time personal letters, diary fragments, and handwritten notes by photographer and filmmaker Sam Shaw, who was part of Monroe's inner circle. Through his voice and lens, we get to know Marilyn as few others saw her: pure, vulnerable, ambitious, and full of charisma.

The publication contains a magnificent collection of digitally restored photographs from the original archives from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Think of never-before-published images from the filming of The Seven Year Itch, including the famous 'skirt-blowing' moment, as well as intimate scenes of Marilyn at home in New York, walking through the city, or in love on the beach of Amagansett.

This photo book is a must-have for film lovers, Marilyn collectors, and photography enthusiasts. Dear Marilyn captures not only a woman in images but also an era full of glamour, struggle, and beauty.

An enchanting tribute to the woman behind the legend, seen through the eyes of a friend.

What to expect:

• Unpublished correspondence and diary fragments by Sam Shaw
• Iconic and unpublished photos of Marilyn Monroe, spontaneous, private, and on set
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes material from The Seven Year Itch
• Visual tribute to Monroe on the occasion of her 100th birthday
• Perfect book for fans of Marilyn, vintage Hollywood, and classic photography

About the author:

Sam Shaw (1912–1999) was an influential photographer, journalist, and filmmaker from New York. His career began in the 1940s at Collier’s Magazine, where he captured the daily lives of ordinary Americans. Later, he traveled across the country to create photo essays on jazz musicians, farmers, and the burlesque scene, among others.

Shaw became famous as a stills photographer in the film industry, working with legends such as Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, and Alfred Hitchcock. His images appeared worldwide in renowned magazines such as Life, Paris Match, Harper’s Bazaar, and Look.

But it was his years of collaboration and deep friendship with Marilyn Monroe that gave his work iconic status. With Dear Marilyn, Shaw finally shares his personal memories, bringing the star back to life in words and images.