Jackson jacket, Mercury piano and Oasis gear head to auction
Propstore has unveiled music memorabilia up for auction, including Michael Jackson's military jacket, a grand piano played by Freddie Mercury and Oasis instruments.
A collection of music memorabilia spanning pop, rock and classical artists is going under the hammer, with auction house Propstore unveiling the lots on Wednesday.
Among the headline items is a black and gold military-style jacket worn by Michael Jackson, estimated at $237,600 to $475,200. Mark Hochman, head of UK music auctions, said the piece was Jackson's everyday jacket, worn over a period of more than two years from 1994 to 1996, making it the most extensively worn item of the singer's clothing to reach the market.
Also on offer is a change of directors form signed when Jackson took over Northern Songs, the company that held The Beatles' catalog, estimated at $6,635 to $13,270. Hochman recalled the story of Paul McCartney advising Jackson to own his publishing rights, a suggestion Jackson acted on by buying the Beatles catalog.
A landmark grand piano played extensively by Freddie Mercury carries an estimate of $264,000 to $528,000. John Frederick Mack, son of producer Reinhold Mack and Mercury's godson, said anyone who recorded at Musicland Studios played the instrument, from Queen and ELO to the Rolling Stones and jazz pianists, and that it was there from 1971 onwards.
Mercury's black wrap-around embellished costume from Queen's 1974 Sheer Heart Attack tour is estimated at $79,200 to $158,400, with Hochman noting Mercury sewed the glass embellishments on himself. A microphone belonging to Mercury is estimated at $53,000 to $106,400.
Oasis items include Noel Gallagher's autographed Takamine FP460SC acoustic guitar, played during the band's 1996 MTV Unplugged performance, estimated at $99,000 to $198,000. Propstore music specialist Richard Moores said the gig marked a turning point when Gallagher took centre stage after Liam Gallagher pulled out with a bad throat.
Also up for auction is Alan White's stage and studio-used blue boa drum kit, estimated at $15,890 to $31,780, linked to Oasis's infamous 2000 Wembley shows. Moores said Liam Gallagher stayed up all night after the first gig and arrived worse for wear at the second, which was broadcast live and became notorious.
Other lots include John Lennon's tinted prescription glasses, estimated at $132,000 to $264,000, Victoria Beckham's signed corset, a Nirvana poster and signed ABBA and Oasis items. Hochman said charity pieces, including signed Pearl Jam and Judas Priest posters and a jacket worn by Yungblud, are being sold with no reserve starting at £100.
The Music Memorabilia Live Auction is running on Propstore's websites and ends on October 2.