In August at a to-be-disclosed Los Angeles location, fans and collectors will have a chance to own Michael Jackson’s signed drawings, as several dozen of his works are being auctioned off to the highest bidder, King’s Auctions announced this week.
On August 3 at a to-be-announced location that global auction firm King’s Auctions promises will be an “upscale Beverly Hills venue,” 78 drawings by the late King of Pop will be auctioned. Each drawing by the music sensation was signed by him personally, giving auction winners a piece of both the icon’s and pop music’s history.
Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50 from acute propofol intoxication, was a lifelong fan of fine art and began drawing at a young age. While on tour throughout his career, Jackson would frequently turn to drawing and soon it became a hobby — after all, it’s portable.
“He was influenced by many art genres, from classical and architectural to pop art and even formal portraiture. He also had a great fondness for London and British customs,” King’s Auctions said in a press release sent to The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday.
The auction of this batch of work is unique in that Lot #1 — requiring an opening bid of $1 million — is for the entire collection of 78 pieces. If the reserve price is met, the entire event will be over at once and the complete collection will go to the winning bidder. However, if the reserve isn’t met, the auction will revert to standard protocol in which each artwork is offered individually, the auction house said.
The auction is being conducted in association with King’s Los Angeles branch. Absentee and online live bidding will be available via LiveAuctioneers and preview exhibitions will be held in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas.
