Jackson jacket sells for $1.8m
The red and black leather jacket worn by the late Michael Jackson in the music video for the song ‘Thriller’ has sold for $1.8 million at auction. It was previously reported on leatherbiz.com that the jacket was expected to fetch a conservative estimate of between $196,000 and $392,000.
Michael Jackson was pronounced dead after arriving at UCLA Medical Centre, Los Angeles, following cardiac arrest on June 25 2009, just weeks before a series of planned comeback concerts.
The calf leather jacket with winged shoulders was one of two used for the shoot. The other one, in scuffed condition, is owned by the Jackson estate. The jacket sold at auction is in better condition and is signed on the sleeve by the late singer. It was designed by Deborah Landis, the wife of the Thriller director, John Landis.
It sold to Milton Verret of Austin, Texas, who bid in person against about a dozen others from around the world.
“It is one of the most important pieces of rock’n’roll memorabilia in history,” Mr Verret said. His collection also includes another Jackson jacket and guitars signed by members of U2.
Plans are under way to show the Thriller jacket at Dell children’s hospital in Austin before sending it around the world to display during charity events. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit an animal reserve where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers reside.
