2008-10-02 21:15:49 - By Jennifer J. Dickinson

Marilyn Monroe has been portrayed in many different ways, euphoric and also very shocking ways. But when a magazine such as VANITY FAIR is falling for a prank in form of an entire collection of fake memorabilia, the skeptic 'guru' - world renown Dr. Michael Shermer couldn't resist to give his support to the people behind this unbelievable debunking of a huge media hoax with destination memorabilia auction.

Marilyn Monroe activist Mark Bellinghaus' detection of fake receipts, copied letters for which he owns the originals, false claims made about Marilyn Monroe as well as items which she never touched have debunked this entire collection as a hoax. What brings this all full-circle is that many items aboard the Queen Mary exhibit were also featured in the VANITY FAIR

spread.

Shermer describes the initial investigation by Mark Bellinghaus from the Queen Mary Hoax as 'brilliant' noting how psychics, exhibitors and others are constantly attempting to cash in on Marilyn Monroe's fame. Shermer has now described Bellinghaus 'as a first rate skeptical investigator of all things Marilyn.'

Dr. Shermer's commentary and support of Bellinghaus' excellent investigative skills, as well as links to the original article can be found here:

www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/#hoax

Excerpt by Michael Shermer: ‘This is just one of numerous fakes and mistakes that Bellinghaus says are comparable to what Clifford Irving did when he faked Howard Hughes artifacts in order to sell his authorized biography of the billionaire to the McGraw Hill publishing company for one million dollars.'

Michael Shermer: Why people believe strange things