Michael Jackson Memorabilia to Be Auctioned

Michael Jackson memorabilia, including his gold record award for the "Thriller" album, a "Victory Tour" program signed by Jackson family members, and handwritten lyrics for the 1970 Jackson Five hit song "ABC," are set to be auctioned next month unless the musician tries to block the sale, officials said.

The collection, to be auctioned by New York's Guernsey's auction house next month includes about 2,000 items from the Jackson family. The items range from handwritten lyrics to Jackson's sunglasses and microphone. The memorabilia will be auctioned on May 30-31 a t the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The collection was once the subject of a legal battle between Jackson and a former family business partner and spans the Jacksons' careers from the mid 1960s through the early 1990s.

Some of the memorabilia includes Janet Jackson's ballet shoes and a Mae West costume she wore in her first Jackson Five performance. Also included is a black jacket with gold sequined epaulets that Michael wore during his late 1980s moonwalker era.

No price tag on the collection has been set by Guernsey's auction how, but officials expect the bidding for some items to be very high.

"Buyers will be of every description, from the most dedicated fans to the corporate buyer who sees this as interesting material to display," said Guernsey's President Arlan Ettinger.

Ettinger compared the auction of the Jackson memorabilia to that of an Elvis Presley Graceland memorabilia auction he conducted in Las Vegas in 1999.

"It certainly is in that sphere of landmark, high profile, extraordinary auctions," Ettinger said Wednesday.

Fans will also be able to bid for the items on eBay during the live auction, Ettinger said.

A representative of Michael Jackson said that he would consider legal action to stop the auction.

"It certainly is in that sphere of landmark, high profile, extraordinary auctions," Ettinger told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The collection is owned by luggage transportation company Universal Express Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., according to Ettinger. The company bought it last year from a New Jersey construction company owner.

Michael Jackson has been living in Las Vegas as he considers proposals for a comeback after his June 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges in Santa Barbara County.

Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father and former Jackson Five manager, has declined comment.

Sources:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=72646
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070405-1425-nv-jacksonauction.html