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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 January 7, 2013 at 5:04pm

Where either of those sketches sold?

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on January 7, 2013 at 5:10pm

No Steve none have been auctioned

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Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on January 8, 2013 at 2:24am

Nope, but this one was, the Bush-whacked version. http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/77/lot/33845/

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 6, 2013 at 7:01pm

Yet MORE $1.8M Thriller jacket signature style forged items $$$SOLD.

FURIOUS. Desecrated and sold MJ's iconic personal property - designed and created by Versace... and NOW by Bill Whitten. Absolute Contempt for Michael. And contempt for their fellow artist designers, to boot!

You guys, look at these ICONIC MJ CLOTHES (mixed in with some over-the-counter lesser items) !!! >:-((( Furious and heartsick. Estate has diddly squat left of MJ's stuff, as they purport. ALLLL Sold. NO MJ Museum. And his children will have nothing of their father's belongings.

For some reason the greedy pillagers actually sold one or two garments unsigned. However, it's clear they all were consigned from the same source.

Juliens auction - Icons and Idols - December 3, 2011 -

Lot 1699 - MICHAEL JACKSON WORN AND SIGNED SHIRT. Sold for $43,750. "THANX"!!!

"A Michael Jackson worn red button-down shirt with goldtone metal bands in ascending size that clasp across the chest. Additionally ornamented with a matching metal around the right upper sleeve and cuff. The shirt is signed on the lower right “Thanx [sic] Michael Jackson.” Designed by Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. Accompanied by two images of Jackson wearing this shirt."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12617

Lot 1540 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BAD FLAG. Sold for $687.50.

"A red Michael Jackson BAD flag signed in lower right "Love Michael Jackson"in black ink. The silk screen printed flag has tabs at the corners to hang the item. Approximately 53 by 37 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12459

Lot 1574 - MICHAEL JACKSON WORN FEDORA. Sold for $10,000.

"A black wool fedora signed "Love Michael Jackson." With black grosgrain hat band, interior sweatband is stamped in gold ink "Michael Jackson." Accompanied by a photograph of Jackson wearing the fedora while rehearsing in Japan in 1988."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12493

Lot 1528 - MICHAEL JACKSON REHEARSAL WORN WHITE FEDORA. Sold for $7,680.

"A “Smooth Criminal” style white wool fedora with black grosgrain hat band signed “Love Michael Jackson.” Stamped on interior sweatband in gold ink “Michael Jackson.” The fedora was worn by Jackson in 1988 for Bad Tour rehearsals at Universal Studios in Los Angeles."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12447

Juliens auction - Legends - October 21, 2011

Lot 425 - MICHAEL JACKSON STAGE WORN DESTINY TOUR COSTUME. Sold for $38,400.

"A Michael Jackson stage worn costume from The Jacksons' Destiny Tour. The two-piece ensemble was designed by Bill Whitten. The leotard style shirt has alternating stripes of mirrors and rhinestone embellishments with Bill Whitten and “M” and “J” tags at collar. Signed at hem "Love Michael Jackson." The trousers have mirror tuxedo stripes, mirror accents and silver squares throughout."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9530

Lot 430 - MICHAEL JACKSON STAGE WORN JACKET. Sold for $162,000.

"A red lamé jacket embellished with rows of loch rosen rhinestones along collar and at cuffs worn by Michael Jackson for The Jacksons' Victory Tour. Signed on lining “Love Michael Jackson.” The jacket was designed by Bill Whitten and bears a Bill Whitten tag. Below the tag is handwritten “HAV 0 01.”

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9535

Lot 429 - MICHAEL JACKSON VICTORY TOUR STAGE WORN ENSEMBLE. Sold for $21,250.

"A white shirt with cascading loch rosen rhinestones and bugle beads down chest and back worn by Michael Jackson for The Jacksons' Victory Tour. The cuffs are accented with rows of clear bugle beads. Shirt has Velcro around waist and is signed near hem of shirt “Love Michael Jackson.” Paired with satin striped trousers edged in sequins. No size present."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9534

Lot 451 - MICHAEL JACKSON WORN WESTERN SHIRT. Sold for $18,750.

"A red bib front western shirt worn and signed by Michael Jackson. The shirt can be seen in images of Jackson posing with his monkey Bubbles. The shirt has silver metal collar tips and snap closure. Label reads "Tony Alamo of Nashville." Inscribed on the front lower left "Love Michael Jackson." No size present."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9556

Lot 426 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED SIMPSONS JACKET. Sold for $2,560.

"A Too Cute brand denim jacket signed by Michael Jackson. The jacket is comprised of a denim foundation with blue suede collar and sleeves; a Homer Simpson patch is attached at right breast. Across the back is an embroidered image of the entire Simpson family. Interior label reads “Too Cute” and is additionally marked “Designed by ‘You Know Who!’ 20 March 1990 Los Angeles.” Signed on back "Love Michael Jackson."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9531

Lot 427 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE. Sold for $1,375.

"A Lee brand denim jacket signed on the left sleeve "Love Michael Jackson." The jacket bears a Lee label and an additional "Niella Custom Design Inc" label. The jacket is embroidered with an image of and the words The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and "film crew" embroidered on left breast and "Michael" on right breast. Additional image of the Ninja Turtles embroidered on back. Size 42."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9532

Lot 449 - MICHAEL JACKSON LA GEAR JACKET. Sold for $1,408.

"A black satin jacket signed by Michael Jackson. The jacket is embroidered with the LA Gear license plate logo at left breast and embroidered “Bubbles” on right breast. Round LA Gear logo across back; maker label reads “Steven’s Outerwear Bad Boys.” Size small. Fifty percent of the proceeds earned from the sale of this item will be donated to Bubbles' continued care at the Center for Great Apes, located in Wauchula, Florida. The Center for Great Apes is a nonprofit organization that maintains a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees that have been used in entertainment or kept as pets by private owners. Bubbles has lived with other chimpanzees at the Center since 2005, and is now 26 years old, and weighs about 180 pounds. Bubbles has a sweet nature and spends time babysitting the younger chimps and enjoying splashing in the big tubs of his habitat."

Personal comment to above BS: Uuuuggghhh!

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9554

Lot 477 - MICHAEL JACKSON WORN SATIN JACKET. Sold for $8,960.

"A white satin jacket lined in green, worn and signed by Michael Jackson. Jackson wore this jacket while in Atlantic City with Donald Trump for the opening of the Trump Taj Mahal hotel and casino. Trump was quoted as saying of his friend, "He was an amazing guy, but beyond all else he was the greatest entertainer I've ever known. He had magic." The jacket reads on back "Irish Pub and Inn St. James Place at the boardwalk Atlantic City" and is signed "Love Michael Jackson." Made by Satin Jackets Inc. Size large."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9582

Lot 494 - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HAT. Sold for $1,024.

"A khaki cotton baseball cap with embroidered "MJ" logo from the 1997-1998 HIStory World Tour. The hat is signed on the brim in black marker "Love Michael Jackson."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9599

Some of the unsigned MJ treasures sold, by I know the same "consignors".

Juliens auction - Icons and Idols - December 3, 2011 -

Lot 1661 - MICHAEL JACKSON UTENSIL JACKET. Sold for $70,400. (this is in Bush's book)

"A Michael Jackson jacket designed by Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. The black leather jacket is embellished across the front and back with miniature utensils. A red leather sash is tied around the right upper sleeve. Zipper closure, no size present."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12579

Lot 1573 - MICHAEL JACKSON CRYSTAL GLOVE. Sold for $35,200. (Bill Whitten designed!! ,, BTW, Whitten died in 2006.)

"A custom right hand, blue spandex glove, completely covered on front and back with deep blue Swarovski loch rosen crystals and created by Bill Whitten. The glove is made to resemble the night sky with the addition of silvered crystal star-form beads. The glove is in the style of the glove seen in the opening sequence of Jackson’s 1988 film Moonwalker as the camera sweeps across his dressing room table."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/37/lot/12492

Juliens auction - Legends - October 21, 2011

Lot 424 - MICHAEL JACKSON VICTORY TOUR BELT. Sold for $17,500.

"A custom white cotton belt fully covered with rhinestone mesh. The belt features Velcro closure, faux buckle achieved with larger adhesive rhinestones, and a "Bill Whitten" costume label with additional "Michael" handwritten inside belt. 1 1/4 inches by 39 1/4 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9529

Lot 446 - MICHAEL JACKSON WESTERN SHIRT. Sold for $22,500.

"A black synthetic blend western bib front shirt with pearloid buttons, silver collar tips and metallic embroidered design with "Tony Alamo of Nashville" label. The shirt is accompanied by four reprinted photographs of Michael Jackson wearing the shirt at various events during the early 1980s. "

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9551

Lot 455 - MICHAEL JACKSON BAD ERA GLOVES. Sold for $31,250.

"A pair of custom created black spandex, fingerless forearm gloves with covered thumbs. The gloves feature three simple silver metal buttons on underside of wrist and eight silver metal, tooled buckle sets on outside of arm. The gloves were custom created by costumers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, no label present, for use during the filming of Jackson's "Bad" music video directed by Martin Scorsese. The gloves were originally gifted to dancer and choreographer Wade Robson. Length 16 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/30/lot/9560

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on January 6, 2013 at 7:14pm

Michael handing his jacket or hat to fans is somewhat understandable, but the shirt of his back, NO!, his pants, whole costumes, i don't think so!!! Thank you Wendy you are absolutely amazing, remember to get a little rest too honey, Love U

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 6, 2013 at 7:32pm

Exactly. You see all of these beautiful symbols of MJ's legacy scratched on and now gone. It's just sickening.

Hope you're doing well, T. Love xo

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Permalink Reply by Luciana Camino on January 7, 2013 at 12:51pm

Yeah, that is so sick and painful to see!!!

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Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on January 6, 2013 at 7:17pm

Note: "To Dennis and Bush"~Michael Jackson,

To "Bush and Dennis" ~Bush Whack with a serious complex!

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 6, 2013 at 7:34pm

Exactly again. Bush whacker always puts himself first.

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Permalink Reply by Luciana Camino on January 7, 2013 at 12:51pm

Why would Michael call Tompkins for his name and Bush for his surname? Ummm,that leaves me thinking!

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Permalink Reply by Helen on January 7, 2013 at 12:26am

So MUCH!!! Arrgh. Bush must have been living the life of Riley these past few years on the auction proceeds (or thrown it all into the "money pit").

Heroic research, Wendy. I just hope, hope hope the police are going to be as thorough. Have these additional auctions been brought to their attention yet? I wish there was some sign of progress, already!

The only lot that's possibly not consigned by Bush is the last, 455. Not defaced and gifted to someone else.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 8, 2013 at 8:40pm

Yes Helen, the "money pit". I agree I want progress, as well. Hopefully, slow and steady...

I see you pointed out Lot 455 being "originally gifted to Wade". The "originally" part sticks out to me. It does so because I must tell you that I have been finding some questionable "provenance" listings in juliens past catalogs regarding MJ items.

There's one item in particular that I saw with my own eyes auctioned by a small time seller on eBay a few years back, that was sold under a completely different provenance at juliens - it's being attributed as a David Gest owned item via a third person's COA (someone I've never heard of before). Of course, I can not prove this because I would never have thought there would be a reason to save the original seller's eBay auction info.

It's just very disheartening what I'm observing.