LAS VEGAS : Bidders from around the world bought up Michael Jackson memorabilia worth nearly $1 million at an auction on the anniversary of his death, including $190,000 for the Swarovski-crystal-studded glove he wore on his 1984 Victory Tour.
The bidding that began Friday on more than 200 items was "unlike anything we've ever experienced," said Darren Julien of Julien's Auctions, which ran the auction at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Some items, like the glove, brought 10 times more than their estimated value, he said. "It just shows you Michael Jackson is the most sought after and most collectible celebrity of all time. It was just phenomenal," Julien told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"People flew in from Asia, Russia, all over. Now that he's gone, we now realize the true legend we lost," said Julien, who has not had a similar auction in his 15 years in the business. He predicted the sales would easily top $1 million by the time the auction wrapped up Sunday.
The glove had been expected to sell for between $20,000 and $30,000. The $190,000 sale price included the buyer's premium of $30,000, a standard industry fee that goes to the auction house, Julien said.
The winning bidder was Wanda Kelley of Los Angeles, who also bought a number of Jackson's albums at the auction, the Las Vegas Sun reported. She said she was prepared to go higher if necessary. "Let's just say I wasn't walking out of here without that glove," she said. A pair of Jackson's stage-worn loafers that were listed as worth $2,000 to $3,000 went for $90,000.
The custom jacket that the pop singer was wearing during his interview with Barbara Walters was listed at $6,000 to $8,000. It sold for $120,000.
A white Fedora sold for $56,250. One of the last autographs Jackson signed, and dated June 24, 2009, in his handwriting, went for $21,000. Non-Jackson items that sold at the auction included:
- A Jimi Hendrix Fender guitar for $180,000.
- Prince's "Purple Rain" handwritten lyrics, which sold for $66,000.
- An Elvis Presley shirt worn in 1956 on "The Milton Berle Show," which fetched $61,200. AP
