Unreleased photos of Marilyn Monroe wearing tinted sunglasses go up for sale

February 8, 2010

New photos of sex symbol Marilyn Monroe have surfaced after being held by a private collector for more than 45 years.

Monroe is seen in the black and white photographs wearing cat-eyed style tinted sunglasses, according to Reuters. The photos are said to have been taken nine months prior to her untimely death.

Photographer Len Steckler shot the photos when Monroe stopped by his residence for a surprise visit with mutual friend Carl Sandburg, a Pulitzer-prize winning poet. The snapshots show Monroe wearing the sunglasses while talking and laughing with Sandburg.

The photos range in price from $1,999 to $3,999 and have never been distributed for public use before.

Although Monroe appeared to be wearing the tinted sunglasses as a fashion statement, they also can be an important accessory for eye health.

Harmful UV rays from the sun can potentially damage the cornea, which might result in eye diseases such as cataracts later on in life, according to the American Optometric Association. Several studies have linked sun exposure to the development of the disease.