Score! Marilyn Monroe photo a touchdown find

Q. My aunt worked for Coach Bobby Dodd of the Georgia Tech "Yellow Jackets." Marilyn Monroe came to the university during his tenure and gave him an autographed picture of her wearing a Georgia Tech sweater. The signature reads "Best Wishes to Coach Dodd" and is signed "Marilyn Monroe." Dodd gave the photo to my aunt. What is it worth?A. It's hard to believe that Marilyn Monroe has been dead for 48 years this month. She was a Hollywood film goddess, a symbol of all that is womanly and sexy, and in the minds of many, she still is.In his own way, Coach Bobby Dodd was also a star. He was born in Galax, Va., on Nov. 11, 1908. From 1928 to 1930, he was the star quarterback for the University of Tennessee Volunteers football team with a record of 27 wins, one loss and two ties. Tennessee fans coined a phrase while he was there "In Dodd We Trust."Dodd took over as head coach of the Georgia Tech football team in 1944 and remained in that position until 1966, with a record of 165-64-8 and a national football championship (1952). Dodd died on June 21, 1988.When presented with a signed Marilyn Monroe photograph, there is always a question about whether she herself signed it. In most instances, genuine signatures were signed in red but there are exceptions, and we believe this is one of those.There is little doubt in our minds that this photograph was actually signed by Monroe and personally presented to Coach Dodd as the provenance details. It is a wonderful photo of her and we feel it has a minimum insurance value of $7,000 to $10,000 but that price could go much higher because of its football associations.The marketplace would dictate your photo's true value. There are some minor condition problems around the edge, and you need to take great care to see that they do not get worse.bull; Contact Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 18350, Knoxville, TN 37928 or via e-mail at treasures@knology.net.