Alternative Investing

Stars and Idols: Celebrity Auction

Celebrity Auction

There is always a market for items owned or used by big-name celebrities. When that celebrity is an icon—think Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon—the value of the item grows exponentially. A jacket worn by Lennon, for example, is expected to fetch $150,000-$200,000 at a Beverly Hills, Calif. Dec. 3-5. , the company holding the auction, is selling a number of items from some of the biggest celebrity names. Click on see some highlights.
Photo credit: DreamPictures | Photodisc | Getty Images

There is always a market for items owned or used by big-name celebrities. When that celebrity is an icon—think Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon—the value of the item grows exponentially.

At a Beverly Hills, Calif. auction Dec. 3-5 held by Julien’s Auctions, items from the biggest celebrity names sold over their estimated value. In fact, a glove worn by Michael Jackson sold for almost ten times its estimate. 

Click on to see some highlights.

By Joseph Pisani
Updated Dec. 6, 2010


» Investing in Memorabilia

Michael Jackson Glove

Estimate: $20,000-$30,000 The shiny glove is one of the most recognizable in pop culture history, and forever be linked to Michael Jackson. This Swarovski-crystal-studded glove is one of four that were used during the King of Pop’s “Bad Tour” in the late 1980s. Julien’s Auctions sold another crystal glove this past summer for $190,000, ten times the estimated value.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $330,000
Estimate: $20,000-$30,000

The shiny glove is one of the most recognizable in pop culture history, and forever be linked to Michael Jackson. This Swarovski-crystal-studded glove is one of four that were used during the King of Pop’s “Bad Tour” in the late 1980s. Julien’s Auctions sold another crystal glove this past summer for $190,000, ten times the estimated value.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Britney Spears Book Report

Estimate: $600-$800 Before selling out arenas, Britney Spears was doing homework. Spears penned this two-page handwritten book report about the short story “Top Man” by James Ramsey Ullman. The report has crayon scribbles and corrections made by her teacher.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $384
Estimate: $600-$800

Before selling out arenas, Britney Spears was doing homework. Spears penned this two-page handwritten book report about the short story “Top Man” by James Ramsey Ullman. The report has crayon scribbles and corrections made by her teacher.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Marilyn Monroe Photograph

Estimate: $800-$1,200 Photographer Bert Stern took this photo of Monroe about six weeks before her death. It’s signed by Stern and dated 2005, when it was reprinted as part of a limited edition printing.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $4,375
Estimate: $800-$1,200

Photographer Bert Stern took this photo of Monroe about six weeks before her death. It’s signed by Stern and dated 2005, when it was reprinted as part of a limited edition printing.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Keith Richards Nudie’s Suit

Estimate: $8,000-$10,000 Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards wore this suit made by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors during the bands 1973 European tour. The burnt - orange suit has images of suns and UFOs.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $21,875
Estimate: $8,000-$10,000

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards wore this suit made by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors during the bands 1973 European tour. The burnt - orange suit has images of suns and UFOs.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Bob Dylan Jacket

Estimate: $4,000-$6,000 Bob Dylan wore this Levi denim jacket--which features patchwork and bead detailing--in the 1987 film “Hearts of Fire.”
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $10,000
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000

Bob Dylan wore this Levi denim jacket--which features patchwork and bead detailing--in the 1987 film “Hearts of Fire.”

» Investing in Memorabilia

Albert Einstein Head X-Rays

Estimate: $1,000-$1,200 See inside the head of one of science's greatest minds. This x-ray of the front and profile of Albert Einstein’s head was taken in 1945 by Dr. Gustav Buck. The two invented the Automatic Electric Eye Camera.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $38,750
Estimate: $1,000-$1,200

See inside the head of one of science's greatest minds. This x-ray of the front and profile of Albert Einstein’s head was taken in 1945 by Dr. Gustav Buck. The two invented the Automatic Electric Eye Camera.

» Investing in Memorabilia

John Lennon Jacket

Estimate: $150,000-$200,000 Lennon wore this military-style jacket during a Beatles photo shoot for “LIFE” magazine. The jacket was bought by a Salvation Army driver who went to Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s apartment to pick up a donation.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $240,000
Estimate: $150,000-$200,000

Lennon wore this military-style jacket during a Beatles photo shoot for “LIFE” magazine. The jacket was bought by a Salvation Army driver who went to Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s apartment to pick up a donation.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Madonna Trench Coat

Estimate: $4,000-$6,000 Madonna wore this navy Dolce & Gabbana coat while performing her song “Holiday” during her 1993 “Girlie Show” tour. The inside has a red-and-white-striped lining.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $12,800
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000

Madonna wore this navy Dolce & Gabbana coat while performing her song “Holiday” during her 1993 “Girlie Show” tour. The inside has a red-and-white-striped lining.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Jack Nicholson Photo

Estimate: $400-$600 A black and white photo of Jack Nicholson in character as the Joker from the 1989 movie, “Batman.” Nicholson signed his name in black marker along he bottom.
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $625
Estimate: $400-$600

A black and white photo of Jack Nicholson in character as the Joker from the 1989 movie, “Batman.” Nicholson signed his name in black marker along he bottom.

» Investing in Memorabilia

Frank Sinatra painting of Clown

Estimate: $10,000-$20,000 Old Blue Eyes was also a painter. His favorite subject was clowns. This one is signed on the lower right corner “F. Sinatra.”
Photo credit: Shaan Kokin/Julien’s Auctions

Sold for: $11,250
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000

Old Blue Eyes was also a painter. His favorite subject was clowns. This one is signed on the lower right corner “F. Sinatra.”

» Investing in Memorabilia