Auction of Michael Jackson's sinister child-friendly art and toys called off

[Honey]

A sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia was cancelled yesterday after auctioneers agreed to return all the lots to the singer.
It follows Jackson's decision last month to file a lawsuit against the auction house involved, demanding the return of some of the 1,400 items.
The hoard, taken from his former ranch home, Neverland, in California, had been expected to fetch £7million.


The Bronze Circle of Peace: Designed and built by Gary Price in 1999, seven life-sized children dance together. It is one of the singer's favourite items and could have fetched up to £50,000


Forever young: The children on a slide sculpture (left) by Paul Anderson, was a key feature in Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California. It was valued at just £200. Walter Horton created the sculpture on the right, which was expected to sell for £1,750

It would have been the largest authorised auction of items associated with the singer, who has been a virtual recluse since his 2005 acquittal on charges of molesting a young boy at Neverland.
Auctioneer Darren Julien said the event, scheduled for next week, was cancelled because an agreement had been reached with Jackson to return the items.
However, a public exhibition of the memorabilia will continue until April 25.
Mr Julien said yesterday: 'The auction isn't going to take place.
'We wanted to reach an agreement and we have reached one today that is mutually acceptable and beneficial.'


Cartoon characters: Superman (left) and Daffy Duck (right)



Garden decoration: This life-sized bronze figural group of four children playing on a rock has a starting bid of $1,500


Surreal: Bronze figures of children feature heavily in the auction

All the items - including a single white glove Jackson wore to perform Billie Jean, and the gates to Neverland - will be returned to the singer when the exhibition closes.
Mr Julien's statement suggested the items would find a permanent public home in the future, but gave no details.
The public exhibit of the 1,400 lots includes many bronzed statues of innocent looking young children and portraits of Jackson depicted as Peter Pan.
Jackson, whose name has been associated with paedophilia accusations for more than 15 years, filled his Neverland ranch with child-friendly toys including a statue of Star Wars villain Darth Vader, a model of E.T. and pinball machines.
Jackson's spokesman, Tohme R. Tohme, said in a joint statement with Julien the two groups 'are pleased' with the agreement and that it 'allows Michael Jackson to retain ownership of the Collection of Michael Jackson.'



A mammoth triptych features three images of Jackson being crowned, knighted, and as a crusader. It is valued at £3,000


Pinball playground: Games machines from Jackson's well-stocked arcade


The boy who never grows old: Jackson's collection includes a large number of Peter Pan memorabilia


Sculptures: Among the bronze items for sale are a Jim Davidson ballerina and a Ramon Parmenter sculpture of a girl holding a ball

Julien signed agreements with Tohme and removed hundreds of items from Jackson's shuttered and sold Neverland Ranch for the sale, which was expected to fetch about $10 million.
It would have been the largest authorised auction of items associated with the self-styled King of Pop, who has been a virtual recluse since his 2005 acquittal on charges of molesting a young boy at Neverland.
The was apparently part and parcel of his comeback - until Jackson changed his mind and accused the auction house of 'stealing' his precious treasures.
On March 4, Tohme and Jackson's production company filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles seeking the return of unspecified items.
Although a Los Angeles judge ruled earlier this month the auction could proceed, the two sides continued talks to settle the dispute.
Julien said earlier this month he had spent some $2 million preparing the sale and the exhibit.
He did not say how much Jackson had agreed to pay under Tuesday's settlement but added: 'We are very happy. We are happy because he is happy.'



Star Wars fan: C-3PO and R2-D2 models are among the Star Wars memorabilia



The collection also includes models of Jackson himself, cavorting with well-known cartoon characters


A carousel horse bares the message: To MJ Love ET



Folly: Naked cherubs cavort around the base of this fountain



The 30,000 square-foot exhibit includes Jackson's red, gilded throne, his Rolls-Royce stretch limo, sequined costumes, portraits of Jackson, pictures of Peter Pan, and toys from the Neverland ranch.
Abby Marie, a Jackson fan visiting on Tuesday, said earlier it would be a pity to see the items sold off to separate bidders. 'I hope one person buys it all and puts it in a museum,' she said.
Jackson adopted a low-profile after his 2005 molestation trial, but in March he announced a run of 50 comeback concerts in London starting in July that sold out within hours.


Picture perfect: Jackson writes himself into a fairytale version of childhood. He commissioned U.S. artist David Nordhal to paint this piece in 1995



Welcome sign: This wooden sign from the entrance to Neverland is listed for sale



Pop culture: Models of Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse were also up for sale





Jacko dolls: A display cabinet houses the Jackson collectibles



Immortalised on canvas: A sketch depicts Jackson as a Pied Piper character leading a long line of children



Never again: The auction lots come from Jackson's former home Neverland Ranch

Auction of Michael Jackson's sinister child-friendly art and toys called off | Mail Online

[Seapharris7]

Jackson needs to learn how to let go - what the hell is he going to do with the GATES from Neverland?

[aabbcc]

Jackson needs to learn how to let go ...

He didn't seem to have any trouble letting go when he deserted the place, quit paying his staff, and left his animals to starve.

[sparkly]

This painting is extremely disturbing.

[cheray]

This painting is extremely disturbing.

Yes I can visualize a very different set of paintings. Mj starring of course, but he certainly aint dressed in robes........maybe a.prison outfit getting a flogging.......or.....pyjama pants going to court .........and the middle pic is him with his hand on his usual place...(crotch) after a monkey biting a chunk out of him.

[celeb_2006]

Pedo!

[sharky]

All the kid art is creepy.

[Seapharris7]

He didn't seem to have any trouble letting go when he deserted the place, quit paying his staff, and left his animals to starve.

^ Kind of true, I see it more as he cant just LET GO (permanently) - he takes no responsibility for maintaining anything (gee, I'm super glad he's a parent) and then when someone/something tries to take it away, or lend their own hand/money... he shows up and demands it back.

... to again not do the proper work necessary in nurturing/maintaining it.

^ Wow... kind of like a CHILD. You know... when they have a toy they havent played with in years and then another kid comes along and likes it... all of the sudden the toy becomes "the best thing ever" to the original owner.

I mean, losing Neverland...? How many times has he been "in danger" of losing it? Only to, at the very last moment - come up with all the money he should have been continuously paying in the first place.
Just like the animals (whom he didn't bother to feed, give proper medical care, make sure they stayed active, etc.), his many servants/caretakers (whom he conveniently forgot to pay for weeks/months/YEARS), and selling his stuff - useless, over-indulgent CRAP.

I dont feel bad for Michael, whether or not you believe he's a molester (although I adore how this article mentions it A LOT) - he's a fucking idiot at the very least. Sale your crap, most of it you probably havent even seen or touched in YEARS, make some money to pay off your outragoues debt, and go on with your grandpaw self in the attempt to still do numerous concerts.

... And for the life of me, I cannot figure out how he still has any money left to spend...