NEWSRemembering Michael Jackson: A Look Back at the Memorabilia That Shaped a King
Dec. 31 2009, Published 5:52 a.m. ET
Michael Jackson was, and still is, the ultimate pop icon. From his sing-along lyrics and his bold fashion choices to his revolutionary dance moves, he will forever be immortalized as the King of Pop. Madonna referenced Michael's cross-generational appeal in her VMA dedication speech: "There's a whole lot of crotch grabbing and moon walking going on in my house. And, it seems like a whole new generation of kids have discovered his genius and are bringing him to life again." As part of OK!'s Year in Review, here's a look back at MJ's personal possessions that were displayed and/or auctioned off in 2009.
Michael Jackson fanatics saved up their money for a plane ticket to London, traveling across the pond to see some of the pop icon's most coveted and original belongings.
On October 26, London's O2 arena displayed a variety of MJ memorabilia and artifcats, as part of the "This Is It" exhibition. Fans checked out various costumes worn by Michael, studded gloves, molds of his face used for videos, famous photographs and more.
Since his death, all things Michael have become coveted by fans. However, for those über MJ fanatics who planned to shell out a few million for the Andy Warhol Jackson portrait, their hopes were squashed.
In July, a New York art gallery temporarily removed a pre-Thriller portrait of the late King of Pop from the auction block.
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Due to the heightened posthumous interest in MJ, the Vered Gallery in East Hampton decided to remove the 30-by-26-inch portrait, which featured the pop star in a red jacket and smiling, the Associated Press reported.
The auction the pre-sale estimates for the 1984 pic ranged from $1 million to $10 million.
Another one of MJ's belongings that fans sought out after his death, is his former 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel from Neverland Ranch.
The ferris wheel has traveled across the Midwest attracting mourners on its way.
"They come to take pictures, a couple tears and everybody likes to ride it," Theresa Noerper, co-owner of Archway Amusements Corp, told the AP in September.
Archway Amusements bought the Ferris wheel last year from a liquidation sale at Neverland Ranch simply because they needed another one.
It now travels to fairs across the country and for $4.50, fans can relive their childhood just like MJ had always tried to do.
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MJ's famous Swarovski-studded white glove sold for an astounding $350,000 at a November auction held this weekend at the Hard Rock Cafe in NYC.
The iconic glove became the King of Pop's signature accessory after he wore it during his moonwalking "Billie Jean" performance at Motown's 25th anniversary TV special in 1983.
Hong Kong native Hoffman Ma was the lucky bidder who now owns a piece of history.
After taxes, Hoffman will pay $420,000 for the the glove, a price the 36-year-old winner considered a bargain! He purchased the glove on behalf of the Ponte 16 Resort Hotel in Macau.
Even though there were more than 300 items on the chopping block, from artists ranging from The Beatles to Elvis Presley in the "Music Icons" sale held by Julien's Auctions, MJ's items seemed to be the most desired.
His fedora, also worn during the Motown special, sold for $22,000, and a jacket from his 1989 Bad tour sold to a lucky bidder at $225,000.
It's not surprising, however, that the "Holy Grail" of MJ memorabilia — his crotch-grabbing, white Swarovski glove — sold at the highest bid.
