No matter how many years pass, for one reason or another, the name Michael Jackson will always be recognized. World-renowned as the undisputed king of pop, he was undoubtedly a figure who left us too soon. However, how much would you be willing to pay to own a piece of clothing that belonged to the singer? In Nimes, there was no doubt. A total of €6,200 was bid for a white sock from his concert in Nice in 1997. The auction took place at the Hôtel des ventes de Nimes, which started with a starting price of €2,500.
The Agencia EFE anticipated a value between €3,000 and €4,000, but they did not expect this amount to be reached. It’s not the most expensive piece of the singer, not by far. In 2009, at Julien’s Auctions, a white glove with Swarovski crystals was sold for $350,000. In 2018, the shoes with which he practiced his first moonwalk were sold for $75,000. In 2011, the famous red jacket from his Thriller music video was sold for $1.8 million, while the black military jacket he wore during the HIStory World Tour was auctioned for $144,000. Would you pay any of these amounts to have in your possession an item that belonged to your favorite idol?
Michael Jackson
Born on August 29, 1958, Michael Jackson was much more than an American singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer. With almost four decades of career, he started his path in 1964 at just 6 years old, debuting with The Jackson 5. This family band that he shared with his brothers catapulted him to fame and showcased his natural talent, which allowed his solo career to begin in 1971. His hit ‘Thriller’ marked a turning point in pop and in music in general, crowning him as the King of Pop with his next success, ‘Bad.’ His life was filled with public scandals, accusations of pedophilia, among other legal issues, but his musical legacy will always remain in the history of music.
Any more bids?
In the world of fandom, auctions are very common. Several have been held with valuable -or not- items that belonged to great personalities. A lock of hair from Elvis Presley for $2.5 million, a chewed gum from Britney Spears for $30,000, a broken fake nail from Lady Gaga for $12,000, or the handkerchief with which Leo Messi wiped his tears at the farewell press conference of FC Barcelona. The more random the items, the better. Fans are willing to pay astronomical sums to acquire these kinds of prizes, many without even ensuring that they are real.
The auctions of Michael Jackson
As could be expected, the King of Pop has also starred in numerous auctions, where exorbitant prices have been paid for his items, which some consider to be the most precious in the world. In 1997, the singer gave a concert in Nice where, apparently, he forgot one of his white gloves. A sound technician picked it up and kept it for 28 years.
The glove, embroidered with small crystals and used only once (at the concert on June 27, 1997), was auctioned off last Wednesday in Nîmes. The news agency EFE estimated that it would reach figures between €3,000 and €4,000. With a starting price of €2,500, the auction held at the Hôtel des Ventes in Nîmes reached €6,200! Details of the buyer were not disclosed, but they will certainly be overflowing with joy over their new possession.
More auctioned products
Despite the high price paid for the famous white glove, it is a mere trifle compared to the amounts that have been paid for other items belonging to the King of Pop. In 2009, $350,000 was paid for a white glove with Swarovski crystals at a Julien’s Auction. In 2018, it was $75,000 for the shoes he wore to practice the moonwalk for the first time. The black jacket with gold embellishments that he used during his HIStory World Tour reached $144,000, and the crown jewel, the red jacket he wore in the music video for Thriller, was auctioned in 2001 for $1.8 million.