April 14, 2009

Michael Jackson Auction Set To Start Next Week

By Kathleen Newman-Bremang (MTV.com)

Michael Jackson might not want his personal items sold to the highest bidder, but it looks like the iconic collection will be up for grabs in a four-day auction beginning April 22 whether he likes it or not.

Jackson's fans can now get a glimpse of the exhibit - which has been tied up in legal drama for months - with the Beverly Hills re-creation of MJ's Neverland Ranch opening to the public Tuesday through April 21.

Despite alleged threats from Jackson's camp, Hollywood auction house Julien's Auctions is going ahead with the sale, which includes everything from the pop star's gloves to antique furniture to a Bentley to mannequins. But if you want to rock the iconic white glove Jackson made famous while belting out "Billie Jean" in 1983 at the Motown Records 25th-anniversary concert, be prepared to shell out as much as $100,000.

The display features eight gloves in total, but Julien's President and CEO Darren Julien told The Associated Press that the white glove is "the simplest" and "most iconic." Julien also said he's expecting the auction to bring in at least $3 million.

Most of the profits will go to Jackson. In early March, the pop star's production company filed a lawsuit to stop the sale, saying the items were "priceless and irreplaceable." A judge ruled that the auction could continue, but Jackson and his team could still stop the auction, with their final motion slated to be heard Wednesday.

In other attempts to ease his financial woes, MJ is slated to play a 50-show run at London's O2 Arena starting July 8.