Three images depict 21-year-old Marilyn Meseke, of Marion, Ohio during the 1938 Miss America Pageant, during which she was crowned Miss America. The first image is a color photograph of Marilyn in dance costume of light green long sleeve shirt and black satin shorts with a sash and green shoes. It measures 7" by 9.25" (17.78 by 23.5 cm). The second is a 8" by 10" (20.32 by 25.4 cm) black and white portrait. The final image was taken the morning after she was crowned and shows Marilyn with "King Neptune." It measures 20" by 24" (50.8 by 60.9 cm).

Marilyn Meseke was born in Lima, Ohio and was raised in Marion, Ohio by her grandmother. Meseke began dancing lessons at age four, and later studied voice, piano and baton. After graduating from high school with honors, Meseke opened her own dance school. She competed in the Miss America Pageant in 1938, the first year talent became a mandatory category. She tap danced to three songs: "How'd You Like To Love Me," "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise," and "Joseph, Joseph." She won and was crowned by Atlantic City Mayor A. C. White in the Steel Pier's Marine Ballroom. Also for the first time, a Miss America began making numerous public appearances throughout the country, frequently with major stars like Rudy Vallee. She later enjoyed a modeling career. In January 1944, Meseke married Army pilot Stanley Hume. They moved to Coral Gables, Florida and had one son, Michael. After her first husband died, she married pilot Benjamin Rogers. She died in September 2001.