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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 January 5, 2013 at 12:38am

More examples to upload, but I'm getting tired for tonight. Will finish tomorrow, promise.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 6:46pm

Juliens Music Icons auction - June 24, 2010 -

More secretarials. Regarding the 2nd example below, the letter to David Geffen: Steve, I now see why you had a problem with the "Mandy Porter letter" I had uploaded way back in our discussion. It's the same (secretarial) style signature. Both letters are even in the same red ink.

Lot 466 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED "BAD" ALBUM. Sold for $3,437.50.

"A copy of Michael Jackson's 1987 Bad album signed on the front cover in black marker, "All my love Michael Jackson." The album cover is hole punched in the upper left corner. 12 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/3/lot/466/

Lot 447 - MICHAEL JACKSON LETTER TO DAVID GEFFEN. Sold for $2,560.

"Michael Jackson signed letter to David Geffen dated "June 21, 1990" written on MJJ Productions stationary, thanking Geffen for flowers sent during an illness. Letter reads in part, "Thank you for standing by me. You're wonderful!" signed in red marker by Michael Jackson. With original transmittal envelope. 10 1/2 by 7 1/4 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/3/lot/447/

Real MJ or secretarial? (I think it's a secretarial)

Lot 464 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED "BAD" PHOTO. Sold for $2,125.

"A black and white publicity portrait for Epic records showing Michael Jackson as he appeared on the cover of his 1987 Bad album, signed in blue marker, "Michael Jackson." 10 by 8 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/3/lot/464/

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 5, 2013 at 7:16pm

Hi Wendy,

I'm not that familiar with Michael Jackson secretarials, but I am confident that none of these were signed by him...and this reinforces the Mandy Porter letter you mentioned. The most obvious sign to me is the tall "k" in Jackson on every one. But there's a lack of flair overall, and that's what I look for in a Michael Jackson autograph.

I keep on saying this but it's true: Michael Jackson was an artist, and his autographs generally showed that.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 8:00pm

He was the ULTIMATE artist, Steve. And I agree that whenever circumstances provided, MJ made the most creative use of his signings.

You were so right about the Mandy Porter letter. I just keep continuing to learn more and more from this forum. Thanks Steve.

Please let me know what you think about the "bunch" I just uploaded..

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 7:10pm

I'm having difficulty uploading images. I'll keep trying..

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 5, 2013 at 7:17pm

That's probably a JavaScript problem...they pop up every now and then. Sometimes changing browsers works.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 7:25pm

Hi Steve :) Yes, I cleaned my computer cache a few times, changed browsers. That worked for me. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 5, 2013 at 7:34pm

Glad it did, Wendy. Doesn't always.

We've been researching new platforms for this site, but this one is the most reliable so I'm inclined to stay and just deal with the quirks. We've had 90,000 visitors in a few hours before—way more than normal—and that would crash most sites. But this one has never been brought down by traffic. Only the occasional network glitch.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 8:02pm

Yes, site crashing is definitely a larger issue than working through a few uploading glitches. I agree the site is overall very stable.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 7:24pm

I'm just going to throw these out there. There's a few that may be Michael. I don't know who to attribute these to, really. All sold by Juliens.

Juliens Music Icons auction - June 25, 2011 -

Lot 499 - MICHAEL JACKSON WORN AND SIGNED STETSON HAT. Sold for $7,500.

"A John B. Stetson Company 4X beaver cowboy hat in the roper style, signed in black marker on the brim "Michael Jackson." Worn by Michael Jackson at Caribou Ranch Studios in Colorado."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7481/

Lot 496 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BLACK FEDORA. Sold for $33,750.

"A black wool fedora signed by Michael Jackson "All My Love Michael Jackson 1998 000 (with hand drawn arrow)." Interior sweatband is stamped in gold ink "Michael Jackson." Size medium"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7478/

Lot 563 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED CUSTOM JACKET. Sold for $20,480.

"A blue wool Belgian military jacket, customized by Michael Jackson's costumers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. The jacket features a red silk armband and metallic embroidered crown over crest, British "Royal Corps of Transport" patches at each shoulder. The jacket contains a Tompkins Bush label and is signed in silver marker "Love Michael Jackson."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7545/

Lot 505 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. Sold for $1,920.

"A black and white publicity photograph of Michael Jackson from the Bad album cover, signed in red marker "Michael Jackson." 7 by 5 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7487/

Lot 510 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BAD PHOTOGRAPH. Sold for $1,280.

"A color publicity photograph of Michael Jackson performing during his 1987 - 1989 BAD World Tour signed in gold marker "All My Love To David Michael Jackson MJ. 1998." 10 by 8 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7492/

Lot 407 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED JAPANESE RECORD INSERT. Sold for $2,880.

"A Japanese record insert for the single "Ben" with B side "You Can Cry On My Shoulder" released by Motown Records and featuring an image of Jackson with superimposed images of rats from the 1972 film Ben. The insert is signed in black marker "All My Love Michael Jackson." 6 3/4 by 6 3/4 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7389/

Lot 587 - MICHAEL JACKSON INSCRIBED NAPKIN. Sold for $6,400.

"A white dinner napkin matted and framed, inscribed in black ink, "I love you more than words can say thank you for your loyalty love Michael Jackson 99."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7569/

Lot 599 - MICHAEL JACKSON ORIGINAL SIGNED SKETCH. Sold for $7,500.

"A single piece of music composition paper with original black marker sketch of Jackson's signature dance move, signed and dated below "Much love Michael Jackson 2003." 11 3/4 by 8 1/4 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7581/

Lot 602 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED COMPILATION COMPACT DISC. Sold for $1,536.

"A compact disc copy of Michael Jackson's 2008 Sony Records release Michael Jackson: King of Pop - The French Fans' Selection. The cover pamphlet is signed in silver marker "Michael Jackson."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7584/

Lot 581 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED CALENDAR PAGE. Sold for $1,792. (number of bumps in Michael??)

"A single page from the 2009 spiral bound Thriller 25th Anniversary calendar, multilingual edition. This "March" page features an image of Michael Jackson performing in 1984 and is signed in black marker, "Michael Jackson." 16 1/2 by 11 3/4 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7563/

Lot 598 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED NUMBER ONES COMPACT DISC. Sold for $2,560.

"A compact disc copy of Michael Jackson's 2003 Epic records compilation release Number Ones. The cover pamphlet is signed in black marker "Michael Jackson." 5 by 5 1/2 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/26/lot/7580/

Juliens Music Icons auction - Music Icons June 24, 2010 -

Lot 427 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BOOK. Sold for $6,875.

"A first edition hardcover copy of Michael Jackson's 1992 Doubleday book "Dancing the Dream." The book is a visual presentation of Jackson's poems and reflections presented with artwork and photographs of Jackson. The book is signed on the front title page in blue ink "Michael Jackson." 9 1/2 by 9 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/3/lot/427/

Lot 417 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED PHOTO. Sold for $2,500.

"A 1991 color publicity photograph of Michael Jackson signed in blue ink, "Michael Jackson." The photo was given to Adam De Roma the same night Michael gave him the jacket featured on this page after attending the Sidney, Australia premiere of Michael Jackson's Ghosts in 1996. Jackson signed color photos for the children who attended the premiere with him and posed for a photo with De Roma holding this photo before it was signed by Jackson, that photo is included with this lot. 10 by 8 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/3/lot/417/

Juliens Music Legends auction - October 8, 2010 -

Lot 430 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL PROGRAM. Sold for $11,250. (2nd supposed signature of David Gest, which Juliens neglects to mention in auction description)

"A program for Michael Jackson's 2001 30th Anniversary Special held at Madison Square Garden. The special event celebrated Jackson's 30-year career as a solo artist. Signed on the cover by Michael Jackson. 11 by 8 1/2 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/8/lot/1678/

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 5, 2013 at 7:43pm

Does anyone have images of hats or clothes with proof they were signed by Michael Jackson? Roger?

As for the ones you just posted, Wendy, I'm sorry, but I don't like any of them. And Julien's has sold a lot of Michael Jackson that I do like.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 5, 2013 at 8:08pm

I don't like any of them either Steve.

From what I've seen in Juliens past catalogs - other than the Julien-Bush catalog, of course - there ARE examples of authentic MJ autographs having been handled and sold by Juliens. I haven't actually done the calculations but I would say it's about a 50-50 ratio of real versus fake.

And most of the genuine MJ's in Juliens catalogs are just as obviously real, as their forged examples are clearly fake.

The practicality of handling, sorting, cataloging all of these signatures and still somehow NOT witnessing the difference is beyond belief.