This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/11/2010
This western style bib front shirt was worn by legendary performer Michael Jackson in numerous candid and publicity photos throughout the mid 1980’s. This was one of Jackson’s favorite shirts around the time of the release of his 1982 album “Thriller” (which remains the best-selling album of all time) and he wore it to several events. He also had the same shirt in red, which he wore in the famous photograph with Bubbles, his pet chimpanzee. The red shirt will be appearing in an upcoming exhibit at the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles, California. A photo of Jackson wearing the shirt, standing with Lionel Ritchie is included next to Ritchie’s essay in the just released official Michael Jackson photo book “Opus." Ritchie and Jackson had been friends since the Commodores and Jackson 5 toured together when Jackson was still a child. The photo was taken circa 1985, as Jackson and Ritchie were co-writing the multi-platinum charity single “We Are the World." A copy of “Opus," which retails for $279.00, is included with the shirt. Jackson also wore the shirt to an event in the early to mid 1980’s, and was photographed with Hugh Heffner and Steven Hoefflin, the plastic surgeon who fixed Jackson’s initial rhinoplasty that left him with breathing problems after he broke his nose during a dance routine in 1979. The results of Dr. Hoefflin's surgery are visible on the “Thriller” album cover. Jackson was photographed with long time producer and collaborator Quincy Jones at the same event. Jackson wore the shirt again at his close friend Barry Gibbs house in Miami, where a picture was snapped as he leaned against a balustrade overlooking the water. A photo of Jackson in the shirt with Mr. T was reprinted in the September 2009 Michael Jackson Commemorative issue of Ebony Magazine, which is also included with this piece. The black shirt by “Tony Alamo of Nashville” is made of a polyester knit, with long sleeves, pointed collar, and white pearlized snaps down each side and bottom of the bib and on the sleeve cuffs. The bib is trimmed with white piping, and has narrow white braid passementerie embellishment. The collar is trimmed with stamped metal collar points. This shirt is an excellent example of one of Mr. Jackson's signature looks from the 1980’s and will make an impressive addition to any collection of high profile music memorabilia.
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Estimate: 10000-12000