Madonna memorabilia to highlight celebrity auction

Actress and pop star Madonna arrives for the premiere of the movie 'Evita' in which she plays the lead role of Eva Peron in Leicester Square, London, in this December 19, 1996, file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

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They are among the more than 140 items from the pop diva's life and career that could fetch a combined total of up to $500,000 in the two-day in-house and online auction beginning on Nov 7.

"This is the biggest collection of Madonna items ever to come to auction at one time," says Martin Nolan, the executive director of the auction house.

Many of the items in the auction are from a collection amassed by Marquee Capital, a London-based niche asset management company specializing in alternative investments, and other sources and collectors.

Among the standout lots is the strapless, evening gown, mink cape and jewelry Madonna wore in her Material Girl music video, which together could sell for at much as $70,000.

Nolan said Madonna admired Marilyn Monroe and had chosen to wear the pink gown that the actress had worn back in the 1950s, when she made the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

"We have that particular outfit," says Nolan.