The Collection of Michael Jackson

LOS ANGELES � The King of Pop is lightening his load.

At an April auction featuring more than 2,000 personal items, Michael Jackson is set to sell his American Music Award for "Thriller," a velvet cape given to him by his children for Father''s Day in 1998, a pair of rhinestone-trimmed socks from 1981, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan and his own original artwork.

The 50-year-old singer is also parting with his platinum and gold records, a customized Harley Davidson and a Rolls Royce limousine.

The five-day sale was announced in December by Julien''s Auctions, but the full extent of the items available wasn''t known until Tuesday, when the auction house released images of the lots. The auction begins April 21.


King of Pop:
A Once in a Lifetime Public Exhibition Featuring Property From the Life and Career of Michael Jackson and Neverland Ranch

Public Exhibition
9900 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California 90210
Adjacent to The Beverly Hilton
April 14 � April 25, 2009
(10:00 a.m. � 6:00 p.m. Daily)
9900 Wilshire adjacent to

in Beverly Hills, California


Beginning April 14, Julien�s Auctions, located adjacent to The Beverly Hilton, will host an array of treasures from Michael Jackson''s Neverland Ranch ranging from Michael Jackson''s iconic white-jeweled glove to the grandiose entry gates to Neverland Ranch. King of Pop: A Once in a Lifetime Public Exhibition Featuring Property From the Life and Career of Michael Jackson and Neverland Ranch will be held at Julien�s Auctions from April 14nd-25th. In honor of this monumental public exhibition, The Beverly Hilton

An array of treasures from Michael Jackson''s Neverland Ranch ranging from Michael Jackson''s iconic white-jeweled glove to the grandiose entry gates to Neverland Ranch are being presented in a tour de force public exhibition boasting 1390 Lots conducted by Julien''s Auctions. Beginning with a highlights tour to major cities worldwide, Julien''s Auctions will host an 8 day museum quality exhibition at 9900 Wilshire adjacent to The Beverly Hilton open to the public on Tuesday April 14th through Tuesday April 21st 10am to 6pm PST daily. The auction begins on Wednesday, April 22nd and runs through Saturday April 25th at 9:00 am and 2pm PST daily.

This monumental four-day public exhibition to be conducted by Julien''s Auctions April 14th�25th, 2009 at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard adjacent to the legendary Beverly Hilton Hotel, offers an astounding array of Fine & Decorative Art items, paintings and life size bronze and marble sculptures to Memorabilia from the Life & Career of Michael Jackson. The exhibition also includes Amusements, Arcade Games & Disneyana, Entertainment Memorabilia and Garden Statuary and Furniture from the life and career of the King of Pop Michael Jackson and his Neverland Ranch.

Michael Jackson began his assent to the zenith of international pop culture in the 1970''s as the stand-out member of the Jackson 5. His aspirations for success as a solo artist would be realized beyond anyone''s wildest imagination in the following decade with the release of his albums Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. His altruistic personality and undeniable musical talent proved him capable of reinventing everything from music industry conventions to age-old racial barriers, becoming the first black entertainer to be embraced by the new crossover audience of the MTV generation. �The King of Pop� became one of the defining aspects of 1980''s popular culture. His highly acclaimed, extravagant worldwide tours propelled him into the international spotlight, earning him recognition and respect from millions of fans around the world. Michael Jackson''s innovations reach far beyond his groundbreaking musical aesthetic extending from short film to high fashion and influencing countless generations to come.

Neverland Ranch is named after Peter Pan''s magical island whose youthful inhabitants never grow up and was created in 1988 when Michael Jackson purchased the 2,700-acre property in central California''s wine country.

Neverland became an awe-inspiring wonderland containing larger-than-life superheroes, a custom made horse-drawn carriage and antique automobile replicas, top-tier 19th century paintings and sculpture, exquisite furniture and fine art, renowned international awards and Michael Jackson''s iconic concert costumes.

Michael Jackson was an enthusiastic and avid collector of everything from exquisite antiques to prized entertainment and popular culture memorabilia. Julien''s Auctions is proud to present all these items and much more for sale to the public in this once-in-a-lifetime auction of the property of Michael Jackson and the contents of his Neverland Ranch

UPDATE: The Michael Jackson Auction has been called off, less than a week before it was to have taken place following publicity from every major news source.

Lifestyle and life choices aside, the up-coming Michael Jackson auction is a fascinating look at one of the most amazing and controversial entertainers of our time. Cars, motorcycles, garden sculptures, ornate antiques, displays, an autographed basketball from Michael Jordan, a carved carousel horse from Elizabeth Taylor, music awards, and oh my, all the toys!

From full size wax figures, costumes, to the famous white-jeweled glove it''s all up for public inspection and purchase. The 1390 lots are on public display at The Beverly Hilton from April 14th through April 21st, exhibition is designed by New York designers WRJ Design Associates, LLC.


Auction is conducted by Julien''s Auctions

These days it seems very difficult to sort out rumor from fact when speaking of Michael Jackson. Recently, rumors persisted that he would appear on Akon''s latest album in a duet, but the recording never materialized. Now, rumors are circulating that Jackson, one of the most successful pop performers of all time, is suffering from disease that leaves him in need of a lung transplant, but he may be too weak to have such surgery.

The source of the rumors is writer Ian Halperin who is writing a new biography of Michael Jackson. According to the UK newspaper the Sun, Halperin says "�He needs a lung transplant, but may be too weak to go through with it. He also has emphysema and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, which his doctors have had a lot of trouble stopping. It�s the bleeding that�s the most problematic part. It could kill him." The culprit is a genetic condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

All of our prayers and positive thoughts are with Michael Jackson and his family. He remains one of the most successful pop singers of all time and his album Thriller remains the bestselling album of all time. Check out the links below for a quick reminder of Michael Jackson at the peak of his powers.

While stating in reference to London, "This is it, this is really it, this is the final curtain call," Michael Jackson announced he will perform the hits his fans want to hear at a 10-show residency this summer performing live at the 20,000 seat O2 arena. While fans screamed in adulation, 50-year-old Jackson stated these would be his last performances in London.

AEG Live, the promoter of the concerts, has stated they have a 3 1/2 year agreement with Michael Jackson. The company said the residency could be extended if there is sufficient demand for tickets. In response to many voiced concerns about Michael Jackson''s health, AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips assured the press that Jackson had passed a 4 1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors. There is no specific new word on Michael Jackson recordings in the works.

http://top40.about.com/b/2009/03/05/michael-jackson-announces-10-show-residency-in-london-this-summer.htm

http://top40.about.com/od/j/p/michaeljackson.htm

http://crime.about.com/od/current/p/michael_jackson.htm

Here is background information on Michael Jackson''s two marriages, both of which ended in divorce due to irreconcilable differences.

News Updates:
6/27/06: Having shuttered his Neverland ranch in Santa Ynez because of financial difficulties, Michael Jackson is said to be moving to Europe.
6/13/05: After a four-month trial, and about 30 hours of deliberations over a seven day period, the jurors acquitted Michael Jackson of all charges.

"Good news for Michael Jackson, not guilty on ten counts! The bad news -- he''s going to Disneyland!" --Jay Leno

"Legal experts say the key was that the defense really didn�t play the race card. Well, duh. They didn�t know which race to play." --Jay Leno

"It''s like they always say, if you''re rich and white, you can get away with anything." --Jimmy Kimmel, on the Michael Jackson verdict

"It''s kind of ironic when you think about it. The only Jackson you can accuse of committing a lewd act is Janet at the Super Bowl. The one we wanted to see." --Jay Leno

"The next big question is, Will Michael Jackson be Robert Blake''s new golf partner or Scott Peterson''s new girlfriend? --Jay Leno

"Johnny Cochran died and had a funeral. You know who was at the funeral -- both O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson. In fact, Michael cornered O.J. and said, ''How do you get stains off a glove?''" --Bill Maher

"Michael Jackson was caught on tape saying he was a virgin until he was the age of 32. I mean, is that really shocking? I mean, he was a black man guy ''til he was 35." --Jay Leno

"As you know, Michael Jackson late again to court twice this week�have you seen him? Two people helping him walk into the building; he''s constantly late; he''s crying a lot; he''s walking stiffly�I think he''s going through menopause." --Jay Leno

"Michael brought his personal magician into court with him. Good to see this thing doesn''t turn into a circus. I guess the magician''s job at Neverland was to make the young boy''s pants disappear." --Jay Leno

"According to the news, Michael Jackson is broke and can''t even afford the payroll at Neverland Ranch. So the next time you see Michael with his hands in a 12-year-old''s pocket, he might just be looking for lunch money." --Jay Leno

Michael Jackson, late for court again today, you know, because of his bad back. Well, you''d have a bad back too if every conversation you had in your life involved having to bend over and ask, "What''s your name?" --Jay Leno

"A lot of people think Michael may be suicidal. That''s the latest theory. Just last night he swallowed an entire bottle of Flintstone Chewables." --Jay Leno

"A lot of people thought Michael Jackson was faking it yesterday but people who know Michael say he does have back problems that flare up from time to time. Like when he''s on trial for child molestation." --Jay Leno

"What''s the difference between Michael Jackson and Dick Cheney? One has pasty white skin, fake body parts and he''s creepy; the other''s Michael Jackson." --Jay Leno

"Michael Jackson claims that his partners would sleep in the bed, while he slept on the floor. You know, it''s the same arrangement the Clintons had." --Jay Leno

"The judge in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial selected 250 candidates for the jury pool, while Jackson himself has selected 20 for the kiddie pool." --Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live''s "Weekend Update"

"According to a Gallup poll, 17% of those asked still have a favorable opinion of Michael Jackson. That may not sound like much, but it''s still more than any of the Democratic candidates running for president." �Jay Leno

"Michael Jackson now using the internet to communicate with his fans. Which makes sense, that�s how he met most of ''em." �Jay Leno

"After turning himself in yesterday, Michael Jackson was placed in handcuffs. I think he helped his case when he asked ''These are neat, do they come in smaller sizes?" �Jay Leno

"Michael Jackson announced this week that the Neverland Ranch is no longer home to him. He said he can�t go back there. Which of course is really bad news for the kids locked in the crawlspace." �Jay Leno

"Now he is out on bail � again he still doesn''t get it. When a reporter asked him what he is going to do now, he said, ''I''m going to Disneyland.''" �Jay Leno

"Early today Michael met with his priest � not for spiritual advice, they went on a double date." �Jay Leno

"Michael Jackson turned himself into authorities today and now the court may take away his kids. Don''t worry, Michael''s working on a deal where he can dangle them on the weekends." �Craig Kilborn

"The saddest part of this Michael Jackson scandal is that all of this could have been avoided if he just stuck to grabbing his own crotch." �Craig Kilborn

"Michael Jackson was arrested yesterday. According to the Santa Barbara Police, Michael Jackson is 5''11 and only weighs 120 pounds. Michael is able to keep his weight down because he only orders off the children''s menu." �Conan O''Brien

"Michael says he is going to fight these charges tooth and nail � because those are the only real body parts he has left." �Jay Leno

"Several celebrities have stepped forward to defend Michael Jackson � Woody Harrelson, Roman Polanski, Pete Townsend." �Craig Kilborn

"I can sum up Michael Jackson''s legal defense in three words: dead man moonwalking." �Craig Kilborn

"Yesterday an arrest warrant was issued for Michael Jackson and today by mistake cops picked up Diana Ross." �Jay Leno

" I guess they got Michael on that new law � 3 tykes and you''re out." �Jay Leno

"Did you hear who Michael Jackson''s lawyer is? He hired Scott Peterson''s attorney Mark Geragos. Geragos'' slogan is ''no client too sleazy.'' See Michael''s smart cause he knows that next to Scott Peterson he looks innocent." �Jay Leno

"Police swarmed all over the Neverland Ranch for 12 hours, about 60 investigators and found a lot of items that needed explaining. Like the wedding photo with Lisa Marie Presley." �David Letterman

"His bail was set at $3 million dollars because he is considered a flight risk. Cause, you know, he could run off anywhere and blend right in." �David Letterman

"If you''ve been watching television today, so it begins, the Michael Jackson mini-series kicked off. The glee, the salivation in the news people. The CNN logo had an erection. If you looked closely, the ''N'' was standing tall. ... By God people, there is a Medicare bill to debate! If only the Senate molested the Medicare bill." �Jon Stewart

"Yesterday federal agents raided Michael Jackson''s Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara. This isn''t good. People a

The Collection of Michael Jackson
Photos
Beverly Hills auction, April 25,2009