Michael Jackson’s art collection is going on sale

A series of items once owned by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, are set to go under the hammer on October 23 in an online sale held by the Guernsey’s auction house.

The “Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson” sale offers fans and art enthusiasts a collection of 80 lots, including artworks that once adorned Neverland, the late singer’s vast Californian ranch and private theme park.

Highlights include bronze sculptures, malachite candelabras and the Jackson 5’s first contract with Steeltown Records, signed by Joseph Jackson.

Items in the sale include a bronze statue of Peter Pan and a wooden model of Captain Hook’s ship, both estimated to fetch US$30,000 to US$40,000. The latter was gifted to Michael Jackson by the actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Art enthusiasts will also be able to bid for a rare bronze cast of “Gloria Victis” by the French sculptor and painter, Antonin Mercié, estimated to fetch US$75,000 to US$85,000. Other casts of the 1874 statue are currently in collections held by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

The “Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson” auction also includes collector’s items and memorabilia from the King of Pop’s vast musical career, such as the first contract between the Jackson 5 band and the Steeltown Records label. This historic document, signed by Joe Jackson, is expected to fetch US$50,000 to US$100,000. Similarly, an acetate disc of the Jackson 5’s first singles could sell for US$10,000 to US$20,000.

According to Artnet News, certain lots in the auction were consigned by Richard LaPointe, who acquired them following a lengthy legal battle with Julien’s Auctions and the Jackson estate. The collector, based in Quebec, Canada, had bid on various objects belonging to Michael Jackson that Julien’s Auctions planned to sell between April 22 and 25, 2009.

This major sale — which could have fetched between US$15 and US$20 million at Julien’s Auctions — was ultimately cancelled at the last minute on the request of Michael Jackson’s production company, MJJ Productions.

“Now, more than a decade later, the collector has decided to share Michael’s cherished items with the world
and give fans the chance to own a piece of the King of Pop’s legacy,” said Guernsey’s Auctions in a press release.

(Photos by Guernsey’s Auctions)

This article was published via AFP Relaxnews.