Obituaries of the famous… and the not so famous…

July 21, 2023 by · Leave a Comment 

We often receive requests from our collecting friends for death announcements of the rich and famous.  Searching for these provides us with a sense of nostalgia as memories flood in of summer blockbusters or oldies-but-goodies from our grandparent’s era. Today, however, I wasn’t even looking for an obituary as I paged through a LA Times from August 18, 2005, but as I came across a death report a name leapt from the page and caught my attention. It wasn’t James Dougherty, the one who had just passed away at the ripe age of 84; rather, it was the name of his lovely 16 year old bride, Norma Jean. James was fortunate to have been the 1st man to marry the future star Marilyn Monroe before anyone else gave her a thought. He was quoted as saying, “I never knew Marilyn Monroe… I knew and loved Norma Jean.” Apparently, Norma’s wasn’t the only sad candle in the wind.

Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… death of Marilyn Monroe…

February 12, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, California, August 6, 1962: “MARILYN MONROE FOUND DEAD”