The King Of Pop is dead, but his market value is only getting stronger.
This week marked the fifth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death and it prompted a wide range of tributes across the music world, including a letter of remembrance from Beyoncé. But his fans are keeping his memory alive in a slightly different way, by bidding against each other on eBay for pieces of memorabilia and reaching some astounding figures.
These are some of the most expensive Michael Jackson items sold on the Web site during the last year.
Signed and used pillowcase with Jackson’s hair
The price:$89,999.99
Full creepo-marks go to whomever spent almost two years of an average New Yorker’s salary to snap up this used pillowcase and hair combo, the highest-priced item to be sold on eBay in the last 12 months. Both were saved from the hospital that Jackson was treated in after suffering burns during a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984.
Guaranteed to make your guests uncomfortable.
‘Billie Jean’ stage-worn rehearsal jacket
The price: $20,001.00
Even though he didn’t wear it in the video for “Billie Jean,” Jackson frequently donned sequined jackets for live performances of the song, and this stage-worn example was enough to make one fan spend more for it than some people would spend on a brand new car.
‘Thriller’ album and singles shadowbox, with signed letter
The price: $12,999.99
We’re unlikely to see sales like those of Jackson’s 1982 album “Thriller” ever again, so commemorative discs are becoming rare sights. These discs mark one million sales for “Thriller,” itself, as well as its three biggest singles — “Thriller,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”
Swarovski crystal glove
The price: $7,000
The glittering glove was undoubtedly Michael’s signature throughout his solo career, and there were many versions. Although this worn one sold for a cool $7,000, it’s nothing compared to the one he had on during the Motown 25th anniversary concert in 1983, where he unveiled the moonwalk for the first time.
That one sold for $350,000 in 2009.
Signed, video-worn ‘Smooth Criminal’ fedora
The price: $6,100
Jacko’s white-suit-and-fedora combo was first seen in 1988’s mobster-themed “Smooth Criminal” video (which was also part of the “Moonwallker” movie released at the same time). Not only was the hat an iconic new look for the singer, it bizarrely also became an integral part of the “Moonwalker” video game, in which you could use it as a projectile to kill the bad guys.
That’s one dangerous piece of head wear.