The photos taken by the late Arthur Meyers have been in the hands of Colin Glassborow since the late 1990s and been loaned to the Marilyn: Celebrating an American Icon exhibition in recent days.

They were taken in Chicago in 1949 before Monroe rose to stadom in the U.S. with Meyers a freelance photographer commissioned to track the actress' movements at a pro-celebrity baseball game and later at Ricketts nightclub.

Mr Glassborow made contact with MAMA curator Bianca Acimovic late last week and offered the use of the photos.

Christina Johnston has travelled from Washington DC in the role of courier to be part of the exhibition set-up.

She works for International Arts and Artists and has had a hand in selecting the final collection of works which will go on display from the 120 works from the U.S plus another 30 from Australian collections.

"It is a stunning collection," she said.

"Obviously her story is a little bit tragic, but overall she is just inspiring.

"She is definitely an icon and a huge part of our culture."

A suite of Andy Warhol prints of Monroe authenticated by the Warhol Foundation will be one of the many features of the exhibition.

Works from Cecil Beaton, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Antonio de Felipe, Milton Greene are also included and trace Monroe's life from Norma Jeane to Hollywood hearthrob.

The exhibition also includes Playboy magazine covers.

Albury Council has set a target of more than 20,000 visitors for its first blockbuster show since MAMA opened its doors in early October last year.

MAMA director Jacqui Hemsley said Monroe was an obvious choice to launch the $11 million venue onto the national stage.

"It was going to be iconic because everyone has an understanding of Marilyn Monroe," she said.

"It is not a women's show, it is not a men's show, it is across all ages and she is a beautiful woman."

Ms Hemsley said there would be spin-offs from another Marilyn Monroe exhibition already underway at Bendigo.