Pictures of Monroe are often considered iconic

About 80% of the collection is dedicated to Monroe, while photos of stars such as Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor account for the rest.

The country received the photos from a US businessman it used as an intermediary when it secretly bought back its own foreign debt at big discounts on secondary markets.

The collection, which is housed in Hollywood, has been estimated to be worth up to $15m (�10.3m).

The Polish treasury has set up a fund with Milton Green's son, Joshua Greene, to manage the collection.

Nude pictures

Milton Greene died in 1985 after a career working for magazines such as Vogue, Harpers & Queen, Town and Country and Life.

He photographed many of the world's biggest stars, including Richard Burton, Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Cary Grant.

His photographs of Marilyn Monroe are among his most celebrated.

Interest in Marilyn Monroe memorabilia and photographs is usually very high, although last month nude pictures of the star failed to sell at auction.

The images included one that was used as a centrefold for Playboy magazine.

It is thought fans were deterred from buying the images after the Marilyn Monroe's estate said the photographs infringed their copyright.

The words and the signature of Marilyn Monroe are trademarks owned by the estate and the image, name, and voice of the star is also fiercely protected.