Michael Jackson's furniture to go under the hammer
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Julien's Auctions is to stage a major sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia in Las Vegas on June 25, including the star's custom-designed furniture. To build up the hype, auctioneers are organizing six exhibitions around the world, including one in Macao. (Photos)
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David Nordahl Study for "Triptych" (American, B. 1941) Original oil study on canvas for "Triptych" a three panel painting depicting Michael Jackson being crowned and knighted and presenting an original poem by Michael.[Shaan Kokin/Julien's Auctions] |
"It is very important to us to share Michael's things and his legacy with the people around the world who love him," Darren Julien, president of Julien's Auctions, told China.org.cn, "We have a great partner in Macao, in Ponte 16 who was willing to cover the expenses of bringing these items to China for the public and fans to see."
The Macao exhibition will be held at Ponte 16 from April 30 to May 9. Other exhibitions will take place in Ireland from March 16 to May 30, and in three locations in Japan, from May 20 to June 8. Finally a massive exhibition will be staged at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas from June 14 to June 24.
There will be over 250 lots for sale in the auction so there is plenty to go around. Julien said they have saved the best and most high profile memorabilia for the Ponte 16 exhibition while Ireland will house furniture that Michael Jackson ordered prior to his death.
In addition to the Colombostile collection commissioned by Michael Jackson, the auction will include more than 200 items from his life and career.
Some of the collection highlights include a signed "Beat It" Jacket, sunglasses the star wore on stage, and the military jacket he wore when he married Debbie Rowe.
Ponte 16 already owns 40 iconic items of memorabilia bought at auction last year in New York. The casino resort, half-owned by local gaming tycoon Stanley Ho, paid US$350,000 for Jackson's famous rhinestone glove.
"I am not sure if they will bid in the June auction but I think it will depend on what items are important to fans in China as to what they bid on," said Darren Julien. "Their goal is to build and preserve the legacy of Michael Jackson so they want to have one of the best collections in the world which I am sure they will in time."
The majority of items in the June auction come from family and friends of the star. Some wish to remain anonymous.
Even though they don't need Jackson family's permission, Julien said the estate and family do know that this auction is taking place.
He said Michael Jackson means a lot to him personally and to Julien's Auctions, "It is our greatest desire to preserve and respect the legacy of Michael Jackson as he has always meant so much to us. In addition, our company would not be as famous as what it is if it were not for Michael Jackson."
Julien's Auctions collaborated with Jackson's then manager Dr. Tohme Tohme to clear out the singer's abandoned kingdom Neverland Ranch and planned to auction 2000 items from the property in April 2009, including the front gate. The auction house spent US$2 million organizing the sale but Jackson changed his mind at last minute and filed a lawsuit to halt the auction.
The dispute was settled within weeks, but on June 25, Jackson died of cardiac arrest when preparing for his London concerts. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled his death was homicide and on February 8, 2010, Jackson's personal physician Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
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A custom-designed white cotton, right-hand glove completely covered in clear Swarovski loch rosen crystals. This crystal covered glove is one of the most recognized pieces of wardrobe in the history of pop culture. After Jackson's performance on the 1983 Motown 25 television special, where he performed the moonwalk for the first time, the glove became one of the most iconic elements of Jackson's signature look. [Shaan Kokin/Julien's Auctions] |
"I was deeply heartbroken as Michael was very important to us and to the world," Julien said of the singer's death, "There will never be anyone like him. We never had any problems with Michael Jackson. The lawsuit had nothing to do with him and was more of a result of others. Michael knew that we did nothing wrong and we knew that he was not the reason for the lawsuit."
Julien said Jackson had invited him to the opening of his London concerts. "I think he felt bad about what happened but I always knew he was not to blame for anything. The items we had were returned to Michael Jackson." But he declined to comment on Dr. Tohme Tohme, who was regarded as a controversial figure in Michael's life. It was Tohme who decided to dismantle Neverland and hold the auction. He then reportedly asked for the MJ memorabilia to be returned to him instead of to Jackson.
Darren Julien said he conservatively estimated the value of the items in their June auction at US$600,000 - US$800,000.
Jackson's estate recently signed a record-breaking $250 million deal with Sony Music Entertainment to retain distribution rights to his recordings until 2017 and release 10 posthumous projects over the next seven years.
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