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Michael Jackson Signing Styles in Julien's Tompkins and Bush Sale

On December 2, Julien's Auctions is selling The Collection of Tompkins and Bush. The collection contains 465 lots of Michael Jackson memorabilia, 287 of them autographed.

Michael Bush and the late Dennis Tompkins were Michael Jackson's costume designers for 25 years, during Jackson's most successful period. They were the consignors of the signed Thriller jacket that Julien's sold for $1,800,000 in June 2011.

Almost all of the autographs in the Tompkins and Bush sale are a variation I'm not familiar with. I've only been looking at Jackson's autograph for a few years, though, and we have members here who have collected him for decades, so I'd appreciate your input and exemplars.

If you know Michael Jackson's autograph well, please look at a few images below from the auction and let me know what you think. Even better, browse the auction and upload any similar examples you have: http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/77/

Julien's is the world's premier auction house for Michael Jackson memorabilia, so they would know his autograph better than most of us. I'm just surprised I haven't seen this style before.

Thanks for your help.

Tags: 2012, Julien's, auction, michael jackson, tompkins and bush

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 20, 2012 at 7:31am

I removed the inflammatory post from Debbie regarding Taaj, since this is not the site or discussion for it. There are plenty of MJ sites. I'll be reviewing all the replies here today to make sure we stay on track.

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Permalink Reply by Justin on November 20, 2012 at 7:58am

apologies. i was merely highlighting how irrational she appears to be.. it isn't on MY facebook page.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on November 20, 2012 at 9:00am

Jesse,

I removed that post regarding Debbie, but you can post the video here to show that she's a real person if you want. Just no demeaning commentary please.

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Permalink Reply by Justin on November 20, 2012 at 8:21am

25 years of working for Michael Jackson would not lead to several hundred autographs all looking the same. they have been massed produced and in one go, and that's not what the Julien's catalog states. either way the catalog is incorrect.

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Permalink Reply by just some dude on November 20, 2012 at 8:30am

And to think Julien's is even capable of being bamboozled on this level is sickening. You would think the premier auction house might know what it is they're buying/selling?

Oh well, a fool and his money easily part ways. It would be great if we could somehow put a stop to it, but then what?

It's crazy how much information is out there and mistakes like this still get made. My circle of trust just keeps shrinking! lol

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Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on November 20, 2012 at 8:31am

Jesse,
I am sorry that was not addressed to you, it was all in reference to Debbie MichaelJoe;

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Permalink Reply by Sharon Anne Margaret Austin on November 20, 2012 at 8:53am

I really can't believe all these items are Bush's, I know the auction is headlined that way, I want to know if Julien's are also entering items of MJ memorabilia themselves and the album covers and other items with the dodgy signatures have been piggy backed on, I know someone who is going to the auction and knows a little of what is going on, I have emailed them asking this same question I'm awaiting their reply, hopefully this will shed a little light on the subject, but are questions still being asked about the signatures on clothing and shoes ?

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on November 20, 2012 at 9:14am

this has been an interesting discussion. one one hand, there are the supporter(s) that are trying to convince the rest of us that these signatures are authentic, pointing to the various MJ styles and variations of signatures that are out there. yet these in question in the subject auction are basically identical in nature, shooting huge holes in their basic argument. go figure.

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Permalink Reply by Jadzzia Mj on November 20, 2012 at 9:59am

Hello to you all.
Thank you for this article and the many comments.
I do not qualify as an expert in Michael Jackson signature. However, I find that some of the signatures Julien Auction catalog are strange. All I can say is that these signatures are not familiar with me and some are all alike.
I sincerely believe that Julien 's Auction does not know much in signature, in any case with regard to the signatures of Michael Jackson.
Why do I say this?
A trusted friend went to see the exhibition of Michael Lee Bush in London. He was accompanied by a qualified signature.
He told me after his visit me quite surprised:
- They have doubts about the authenticity of certain exhibits in London:
There is not only the collections of two designers Michael, but clearly objects that come from Julien's Auction or elsewhere ...
For example:
- There is a white Fedora is completely wrong (writing, signature, her sewing, its material, the lack of mention of brand, size different from MJ).
- He found fake autographs.
- A strange piece of bed sheet autographed seems to be a fake?
....
Since the death of Michael there are a lot of fake floating around, my friend told me that the Italians and Chinese specialists are wrong ...
So yes for me Julien 's Auction do not know much ....
Some say a signature evolves over time.
However, I do not agree with the review of MJ signatures between 1994 and 2009.
Here is a series of true signatures of Michael, you will find me as they have changed very little in 15 years.
1994:

http://imagesia.com/1264649993_3kf4
2003 :

http://imagesia.com/letttre-de-michael-pour-le-mjb-et-mjfrance-_3kf7

2007 :
http://imagesia.com/autographe-mj-2007_3kf8
2009 :
http://imagesia.com/589766612_3ksc

You will surely agree with me that his signature has hardly changed in all these years.
Structure, these curves and points have not changed in 15 years.

This is why I wonder who signed some objects in the sale of Julien Action?
Someone should he done to increase the auction price?
In any case it does not appear to be Michael Jackson ...
Trafficking in counterfeit works of art are existing from many years!
Given the huge financial stakes of a sale like objects related to MJ, we can ask about the authenticity of certain objects or signatures.
One thing is certain: it is dishonest to do that from MLB and Julian Auction ... they are at the origin of false or if they have not checked their origin ...
Moreover, it will bring to market a whole series of false signatures and again circulate on the market.
These will be considered fake "real" by new fans, who may be not connoisseurs.
How will it be possible to still identify the true from the false?

So to Debbie Jackson Michaeljoe : Why have posted the article Ripoff Report on 3/9/2011 on the facebook wall of Michael Lee Bush? .

I think Michael Lee Bush may very well come here and comment on this article itself. Darren Julien or why not?
Maybe then we could finally a clear explanation of all this ...
Thank you for your attention.

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Permalink Reply by Josef R on November 20, 2012 at 10:20am

You are absolutely right. Everybody who collect signatures and has a "feeling/sensitivity " have to see that items in Julians are forgeries mostly - the structure and curves are different...