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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 Charlotte Stanley on December 27, 2012 at 12:59pm

WOW!!!!! What a LOAd Of BS!!!

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on December 27, 2012 at 3:45pm

Sze Fng Please email me at the email i just sent you in a private message here, or you can email me at Manager@teammichaeljackson.com we have an attorney working on this matter, thank you

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on December 27, 2012 at 3:46pm

What a load of gobble de gouch

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 28, 2012 at 6:42am

"For each auction we conduct, along with the information provided by the consignors, we engage in a thorough diligence process to attempt to authenticate the provenance of the auction items....If the item involves a signature or handwriting, we engage in similar comparisons with known samples of the person's signature and handwriting."

Ummmmmmmmm. Autopen. Secretarials.

"With respect to Michael Jackson, we also have such signatures and handwriting reviewed by someone considered to be the foremost expert on Michael Jackson memorabilia, Laura Woolley from The Collectors Lab. Ms. Woolley has seen and authenticated more Michael Jackson signatures and handwriting than possibly anyone else in the industry. Ms. Woolley has worked with all of the top auction houses when it comes to items of Michael Jackson including Bonham's, Heritage, and she is regularly consulted and engaged by Sotheby's and Christies. Ms. Woolley has confirmed the genuineness of the items sold in the auction."

They're hanging their hat on Laura Woolley. Laura Woolley, who told NBC herself that she was an appraiser and not an authenticator. Let alone "the foremost expert on Michael Jackson memorabilia." I wonder who considers her that other than Darren Julien and staff? Holy geez. Are they desperate, or what?

"But, we would urge you to carefully review and investigate the credentials, qualifications, and motivations of the people making these unfounded claims before deciding how much weight -- if any -- to give to their assertions. We are aware of no expertise that these individuals have in Michael Jackson memorabilia, signature, or handwriting."

PSA/DNA and Roger Epperson, two of the top Pros.... "no expertise"?! Talk about turning truth on its head.

"As far as we are aware, none of these individuals have ever been retained by any of the top auction houses or the Estate of Michael Jackson to provide authentication on Michael Jackson memorabilia or signature or have had any dealings with Michael Jackson or his companies, or with anything Michael Jackson related."

So John Branca, Co-Executor of the Estate of Michael Jackson and foreword writer of Michael Lee Bush's book which was promoted for sale by Julien's auctions - has never retained the ethical, honest authentication on any Michael Jackson memorabilia or signature from PSA/DNA or Roger Epperson. Imagine that.

Have we heard if anyone has actually received a refund? I would be shocked if they have. Has Thomas been back here to tell us if he actually got his money back?

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 28, 2012 at 9:43am

"a thorough diligence process" huh?

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on December 28, 2012 at 12:30pm

hmmm

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 28, 2012 at 4:45am

TM, I know you're saying definitely Bush because I showed you the signatures in the 2012 Julien-Bush auction that match the Thriller jacket signature style.

I know. I still agree that the unique traits are there in both of those signature types. Like you said, the loop N, and that ugly J which I do NOT like, the M, the 'Love', and so forth.

I see certain examples where I can see elements of both "styles"... so I just don't know whether it was Bush doing variations or not. Because like you felt before, the signatures do look different with possibly "two forgers in the hood" as you said ,,, lol :)

But now with seeing this video it seems an unwell Tompkins is looking right at what I believe is a tracing forgery of Michael's signature on that red shirt sketch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dayFFcT1JbE

I'm positive Bush forged masses of MJ signatures and has sold them with Julien's auction. I'm just no longer positive he forged all them (both signature styles).

What do you think after seeing the video?

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Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on December 28, 2012 at 5:25am

I just want to clarify something, I have never made claim that Tompkins signed that sketch. I only posted it to show that in Aug of 2010 - that sketch is in the background, with Bush & Tompkins in the vid. I would however give anything to see a Tompkins signature lol. (just cuz) :)

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 24, 2012 at 11:26pm

Michelle...Wendy...

You are awesome. Look at all of those cookie-cutter autographs. And none are quickly signed, some are slow and wobbly, and you can see characteristics attributed to Bush popping in and out. Plus the Bush "Love."

These require some serious study and expert consultation, but I think you hit a bullseye.