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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 Wendy Christine on December 6, 2012 at 1:41pm

Agreed. As Roger said, an exception and not the rule. And as Steve said, MJ's occasional N loop was more narrow with virtually parallel sides (not rounded).

Also as TeamMichael said, when MJ used the narrow N loop, the rest of the overall signature characteristics still ring true.

I believe these are a few examples, similar to Brandon's example:

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 6, 2012 at 2:41pm

That 1989 letter is very unusual to me, and not because of the N loop. It feels like his writing to me but a lot of things set me off.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 6, 2012 at 2:55pm

Steve, Don't know why but I can't reply to you, there's no option to do so from your post so I'll tack it onto mine :)

Are we thinking the 1989 letter to Mandy Porter is not legit, then? The whole middle part of Jackson doesn't look quite right, does it?

He did send well wishes to a Mandy Porter in a video clip on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h34ZpMyaLXY

Looks like MJ in circa 1989... BUT that does not mean the letter and signature are real.

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 6, 2012 at 3:10pm

Wendy,

The nesting of replies only goes so deep, and then you can't reply directly anymore. We definitely tax the limits of this system with our long, in-depth discussions.

Yes, I'm referring to the 1989 letter. All but the N of Jackson looks strange to me. But it does feel like he wrote it to me. It's just really unusual. That's one of the fascinating parts of collecting autographs.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 6, 2012 at 3:50pm

Steve,

We certainly HAVE taxed the limits of this system. Thank you for explaining what looked off to you about the 1989 letter signature. It really doesn't look much like anything I've seen him produce.. in the Bad era certainly. The Michael is iffy, while the Jackson seems to fall apart (other than maybe the N).

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Charlotte Stanley on December 6, 2012 at 4:07pm

The 89 letter does look odd but it has a flow to it at the same time. Its almost as if someone or something bumped his hand and caused it to make that big upswing in Jackson, or could this be a secretarial?

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 6, 2012 at 4:24pm

Ah secretarial. Charlotte I was thinking the same thing because of that peak after the J, even though it is not a loop after the J as the known MJ secretarials have shown.

Permalink Reply by Michael Frost on December 6, 2012 at 10:01pm

Brandon,

Why would you think I do not stand behind my opinion? I do stand strongly behind my opinion and I put a lot time and work into an examination before I put my opinion in writing. I do not worry at all what other's think, but that is not to say I cannot respect the additional opinion or input of respected professional autograph authenticators. If I examined and turned down a Nascar signed piece and I was told that Brandon Mysinger has said you are wrong on this examination, I would take a second look at in a perfect world I would be able to call and discuss your opinion. It is just professional courtesy and respect that some autograph authenticators deserve.

Believe me there are still a hand full of autograph authenticators or want to be authenticators that I would not even think of having a conversation about autograph examination with.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie White on December 5, 2012 at 12:49pm

To a layman's eyes, this autograph definitely looks authentic. You can see, but also you can feel it. Hope this makes sense.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 5, 2012 at 1:19pm

Which one are you talking about?

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Permalink Reply by Jamie White on December 5, 2012 at 5:05pm

Steve, not sure if you are responding to me or not, I'm new here, but i was referring to "Beat It" Jacket. The one sold last year at Julien's auction that sold for $132,000. I posted a comment under the photo, but something went wrong.