Whitney Houston's gown from "The Bodyguard," Marilyn Monroe's gold money clip, and one of John F. Kennedy's iconic rocking chairs are just some of the items up for bid by Julien's Auctions.

The public exhibition, going on this week in Beverly Hills, is a preview for the sale happening at the end of the month.

Highlights include a collection of Marilyn Monroe photos, costumes and a money clip she gave to her makeup artist Allan "Whitey" Snyder.

SOUNDBITE: Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien's Auctions, saying (English):

"She wanted him to make her up if she was to pass away before he passed, and he said sure, 'Drop the body off while it's still warm, and I'll do it.' And she gave him this money clip. It's a 14-karat gold Tiffany money clip, and she said, 'Dear Whitey,' that was his name, 'While I'm still warm, Marilyn.'"

Up for auction are several of Whitney Houston's dresses, as well as jewelry and costumes from "The Bodyguard."

SOUNDBITE: Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien's Auctions, saying (English):

"There's one gray, velvet gown that she wore at the 38th annual pre-Grammy awards, hosted by Clive Davis, back in 1996. That's significant because that was the event that Whitney was planning to attend, that night that sadly, she passed away."

Items range from a gown worn by Princess Diana in 1992 at a Spencer House reception to an estimated $70,000 rocking chair from John F. Kennedy.

Nolan said that the auction's total merchandise is valued at $1.5 million.

Roselle Chen, Reuters.