Rare topless Marilyn Monroe pics expected to fetch 15k pounds at auction

London, Apr 28 (ANI): Rare nude photographs of screen siren Marilyn Monroe is to go under the hammer and is expected to fetch more than 15,000 pounds.

A complete set of rare vintage chromogenic prints from her last ever photo shoot, in which she posed topless, were taken by photographer Bert Stern in 1962 just six weeks before Monroe was found dead at the age of 36.

Original shots taken from the session, called The Last Sitting, are in huge demand across the world and were originally taken for Vogue magazine.

Because these have been displayed for many years, the colour has 'shifted' slightly or attenuated - which is what can happen to chromogenic prints.

Stern's three-day session with the famous blonde was a return to form for the glamour queen after a few difficult years.

She is pictured playing with a see-through scarf and pouts and poses like professional model.

In the pictures she appears healthy and happy and there is no clue to suggest she was close to death.

"This is a very popular set. It is unusual to find a whole set and the owner has had them since they were printed," the BBC quoted Judith Eurich, from Bonhams, which is selling the prints, as saying.

"Because they've been displayed the colour has shifted slightly, or attenuated, which is what can happen to chromogenic prints.

"These were taken during Monroe's last ever formal photo shoot just a few weeks before she died, which is kind of sad.

"She was very photogenic and knew how to seduce the camera and she enjoyed posing because it took her mind off other things.

"Typically these sets are broken up and the pictures sold individually," Eurich added. (ANI)