Marilyn Monroe photos up for auction

As the golden anniversary of her death approaches, rare photographs of legendary actress Marilyn Monroe will be up for auction in May.

The pictures were taken by Bert Stern just weeks before her August 1962 death at age 36.

Stern had three sessions with Monroe in June 1962 for a layout in Vogue magazine.

The actress is seen posing topless with a cocktail, on a bed and playing with a scarf. Monroe is seen posing topless, holding what appears to be a cocktail, lounging on a bed and playing with a sheer scarf.

"This is a very popular set. It is unusual to find a whole set and the owner has had them since they were printed, said Judith Eurich, of the British auction house Bonhams, which is selling the prints. "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.

The photos will be auctioned May 8 in New York and are expected to raise $25,000.

New pictures of the actrees were also released in the new book Marilyn by Magnum. These were taken in 1952 at her apartment by Philippe Halsman.