Las Vegas Weekly

April 3, 2009 · 2:02 PM

Michael Jackson Neverland auction features more than 2,000 items

By Robin Leach

Photo: Live Auctioneers

Whatever the bitter battle or inexplicable misunderstanding was between King of Pop Michael Jackson and the company he hired to auction off all his Neverland Ranch memorabilia has been resolved. It’s now definite that more than 2,000 items from his collection of furnishings, antiques, art, games, Disneyana, limousines, stage costumes and outfits will be sold.

The memorabilia is so extensive that it will take four full days to dispose of it. It also includes other personal articles and awards in addition to the contents of Neverland Ranch, including garden statuary and the estate’s distinctive crested entry gates. So if your home is large enough to accommodate those and your initials are MJ, boy do we have a deal for you!

Photo: Live Auctioneers

Serious buyers and bidders will obviously be at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills in person April 22-25 for the auction. But other fans and worldwide collectors will be able to bid at the Julien’s Auction live online thanks to LiveAuctioneers.com. Registration is required in order to bid and purchase.

Julian R. Ellison, CEO of Live Auctioneers in Manhattan, confirmed the online deal, with Julien’s Auctions handling the estate sale for Michael. “All systems are go, and our New York team is very excited that our company was chosen to assist Julien's with their most exciting sale to date,” Julian said.

The eight auction sessions that kick off April 22 are broken down as follows:

Session I: Garden Statuary and Outdoor Furniture

Session II/III: Furniture and Decorative Arts

Session IV: Antiques, Paintings and Fine Decorative Art

Session V/VI: Amusements, Arcade Games and Disneyana

Session VII/VIII Memorabilia From the Life and Career of Michael Jackson

Photo: Live Auctioneers

“This auction series is sure to be one of the most talked-about events of 2009, especially in light of the fact that Michael Jackson so quickly sold out his upcoming summer concert series in London,” Julian said. “Michael Jackson is a worldwide phenomenon, and we believe this sale will generate incredible bidding interest on a global scale.”

Michael, who has begun rehearsals in Los Angeles for his 50 London concerts that begin in July, is not expected to attend any of the auction sales. However, he is expected in Las Vegas this weekend for the first time since announcing his return to live touring. Click HERE for our previous coverage from London about his shows planned there for the 02 Arena, and click HERE for our recent interview with AEG head honcho John Meglen about wanting him to perform in Las Vegas, too.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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