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Authenticity is Everything
Advice and Appraisal on historically significant Michael Jackson item
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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on
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I think you need the advice of an attorney. It seems strange to me that these would be found in the trash and not shredded. I don't think privacy is an issue because Michael Jackson is dead but the ownership could still be in question. But a good auction house would do the research on this so I'd start with asking them about it. What auction house is offering it?
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Permalink Reply by JLee on
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Steve,
Thanks for replying. I am not yet at liberty to disclose the auction house but I may be able to in the near future along with posting pictures of the item. It really is an unbelievable item. From what I do know, the auction house has spent a fair amount of time consulting with an attorney and doing independent research. The consignor has signed off on a statement guaranteeing full and clear title to the item. He has also submitted a written statement disclosing the fact that the paperwork was found in a trash can.
The law states ( based on CALIFORNIA v. GREENWOOD: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=4... ) that Privacy laws are negated if items are obtained from the trash. In addition, if an item is thrown in the trash, it can be recovered and owned by anyone who finds it. This makes this situation interesting (provided that the story is true). In my mind, the only other option is that this paperwork was stolen, and nothing to that effect has ever been reported.
Any thoughts?
Assuming that this piece hits the auction block, any guess on what it may go for? I feel like the sky is the limit?!
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Permalink Reply by Rick Meyer on
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They could very well be stolen. Hospitals maintain records then archives them. They dont pull records and check everyday. Might only know they were stolen if they see them come up for sale.
Since you say it has polaroids I wonder if they didnt come through an attorney or insurance office. They usually have you sign releases so they can obtain them for you.
I think it would be difficult proving how the document was obtained. If it were stolen the tossed into the trash I believe they would nopt be legal to sale.
I'm curious about this topic. I have an original copy of a document that is signed. Would make it a one of a kind. I asked the person for it and it was given to me. I have 2 witneses that saw the person give me the document. The two witnesses are all I have so I haven't posted it anywhere yet because I dont want anybody taking it.
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That is a great observation. The release form in the packet that was signed by Jackson was actually him requesting the release of the documents to his litigation attorneys. The firm stopped representing Jackson 10-15 years ago and had a dispute about money Jackson owes them. At some point in the process the documents apparently ended up in the trash. Given the significance of them I would be shocked if they were unknowingly stolen. I think it's more likely that they ended up in the trash without being shredded (oops!).
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I work alot with obtaining medical records for people. Thats why the signed release stood out me. The part I would research is the actual hospitals policy regarding who gets or maintains the original documents. The hospital, the responsible parties insurance company, the patient....etc. MJ had private physicians. He may have used the release to gather the documents to maintain his own medical records privately. Just knowing the little I do about him I would think his privacy meant more to him than a lawsuit. This was at the height of his popularity. Guy had mountains of cash.
Celebrities go to hospitals just like anybody else. No chance that an eye is kept on those records anymore than yours or mine. Theft of them would not be that difficult for a collector or somebody who knew the value of the signature. Either way though it would be cool trying to figure it out. I can't wait to see a copy of the signed release. The medical documents themselves dont even interest me.
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Yeah, there are a lot if angles to think about in regards to the document. I will see if I can get images of the lot to post here in the near future. I am told that (pending any unforeseen setbacks), the item will go up for auction within the next couple of weeks. I'm guessing there will be a press release so we'll see if the media picks it up.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on
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What "legalities" are you concerned about? You seem to have answered your own question above with case precedent.
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Just looking for other opinions especially from dealers who have dealt with similar items.
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I'm with you Steve. This story is strange to say the least.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Panagopulos on
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Hospitals typically shred their records, not toss them in trash cans. If Jackson requested his records and then threw them out, that's another story. The consignor's guarantee is only as good as his pockets are deep.
I believe a couple of years ago John Reznikoff had some of the hair shaved off that pervert's head at the time he was treated.
I'd value the group, with one signed item by Jackson, at maybe $5-10,000 to anyone who would idolize someone akin to Jerry Sandusky. But what the hell...I sell Hitler documents!
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Permalink Reply by Travis Christenberry on
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Pretty insulting to those of us who did admire Michael Jackson. Unlike Sandusky, Michael was found not guilty. But I guess that's meaningless to those who had already made up their mind about Michael Jackson.
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Permalink Reply by Prashant Kaushik on
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Travis,
I completely agree with you. It really irks me when people make the conclusion that Michael Jackson was involved with children inappropriately. I did my homework for the last 2 years and I invite the doubters to read 2 books that completely vindicate Michael Jackson...1000%. I don't want to get into details or divert this discussion from the original: Michael may have been weird or strange but he was truly a genius in the world of music and one of a kind as a human being and humanitarian...no one will ever replace him.
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