As part of its upcoming Music Icons event in New York, NY, a town so nice they sold it twice, dead people’s stuff clearinghouse Julien’s Auctions has several Michael Jackson items on offer.
You never really know how these auctions will go, but the projected big-ticket item appears to be one of the military-themed jackets Mr. Jackson favored in public, with the one in question being shown to be the jacket he rocked at a birthday party for Nelson Mandela. One thing to learn here is you can get one of these joints with a zip front option, the buttons are just for show. Julien’s is estimating the Mandela birthday party jacket will go for at least $60,000. (DRY CLEAN ONLY).
Meanwhile, hey, wait, MICHAEL JACKSON stuff for sale at public auction? One would think his brand was ruined, or at least in a downward trend after the recent HBOprah thing, and the lawsuit about the HBO thing.
Maybe not, maybe the bad press is good heat for the market? Notations as to the provenance of some of the items, such as “originally sold by Julien’s Auctions,” make it look like some folks might be dumping their Michael Jackson items.
A guitar from the “Scream” video ($6,000) with Janet and Michael Jackson (it was a pretty cool video) which MTV gave away in a contest, sure is an item that makes us think somebody feels like it’s time to get out of the Michael Jackson business.
Also the hat here ($3,000), caught by a fan at a concert, why sell it now? Who will buy it?
Maybe all this negative publicity points to a revived interest in, or creation of a new market, for Michael Jackson stuff? People buy vintage Nazi gear and art made and inspired by serial killers, right?
But who might be waiting to scoop up this current crop of memorabilia, sharpies willing to speculate on a future rise in prices of Michael Jackson merch? Mini-train buffs who can separate the item ($6,000, includes track) from its provenance? We’ll probably hear some news about where the high-dollar items went, so we’ll update when possible.
We’ll leave you with this other item from the big auction, an accordion owned by Noel Gallagher, who is famous for not getting along with his brother in the band Oasis. Picture the scene with Noel Gallagher taking the time to sign a document confirming ownership of an accordion.
You may register here for the big auction.
