Advice and Appraisal on historically significant Michael Jackson item

[JLee]

An auction house has recently been consigned an incredibly significant (yet potentially controversial) piece of memorabilia from the life of Michael Jackson.

In 1984 there was a well known and well documented event in Michal Jacksons life. While shooting a commercial for Pepsi in front of thousands of fans, Jackson's hair caught on fire and he suffered significant burns to his scalp. This event is said to be the event in Jackson's life that caused him to spiral downhill with addictions to multiple medications. The auction house has the complete original set of paperwork from the medical facility that treated Jackson's injuries. The paperwork includes a hand-signed release form from Michael Jackson, the original polaroid pictures taken in the ER, and all of the doctors notes including the release forms and notes regarding the perscribed medications.

These items have never been released or seen by the public. The consignor has been in possession of this paperwork for about 10 years after finding the items in a trash can.

I know that there are a lot of well respected dealers who frequent these boards. Please post your opinions on the legalities of bringing this piece to auction as well as an opinion on the price that it could reach at auction.

This is the very first place where this piece will have been discussed.

[Rick Meyer]

Not yet. I did get an automated reply that they recieved my e-mail and a read reciept. Just not a human response yet.

[JLee]

Rick,

Found another interesting read about Elvis Presley medical documents that are floating around and were featured on Pawn Stars. I haven't been able to find a completed sale, but it sounds like a similar situation where the documents were found in the trash. Here is a link to a forum about it:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-820081.html

I thought this post was interesting:

"I posted this story on a nursing board, and several nurses and other people said that until recent years, obsolete medical records were usually simply tossed into the regular garbage, along with used syringes and bandages, IV bags with name labels on them, etc."

Keep in mind, these records were from 1983

[JLee]

I think it's hard to compare this document with the Armstong customs document. This document dates back to 1984 and is just surfacing (with no report of being lost or stolen) whole the Armstong document sounds like it was sold shortly after being filled out and stolen. I wouldn't have expected Customs to be aware of the missing document that early. The Jackson documents are also far more significant and would stand out like a sore thumb if missing.

[Travis Christenberry]

If I was really interested in such an item, and had the kind of money it would take to win such an item. I would have a discussion with a few lawyers before I did any bidding. I wouldn't take the auction house's word or anyone's word on this website. That's a pretty serious auction lot, and it would deserve some pretty serious preparation before bidding.

[Rick Meyer]

I'd rather use that money and buy 100 better autograph Michael Jackson items. They would display better for sure.

I have a similiar type document with credible witnesses that saw me obtain it than this guy has and I'm still afraid to let it out for fear I may lose the document. It wouldn't be worth nothing like this is but I'd rather keep it in my collection than risk losing it. Once I know my document is OK to own which I'm 85% sure it is already than I'll post it and show it off.

[Travis Christenberry]

You mean, 100 of something like this..........................POW!!!!!

[Rick Meyer]

Exactly. Looks much better then polaroids of a burned head.

[JLee]

Right, but there are thousands of those. This certainly will be for a specific collector (or museum maybe)

[JLee]

Rick,

any word from the Jackson lawyer about this thread?

[JLee]

Given the importance of the documents, Im sure the auction will get plenty of attention. I think it is safe to assume that if the auction runs for the full duration then the documents are legal and in the clear.

[Steve Cyrkin, Admin]

An estimated $5 million market value for the syringe that delivered Michael Jackson's fatal dose of Propofol? Twice as much as a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz? I think you'd have a hard time getting $100,000 for the syringe.

[JLee]

I agree that seems absurd. Just stating what I saw reported. Assuming the report is true, I think it could be possible to see the documents bring 7 figures if the sale happens. I think that would all depend on the sort of media attention they attract.