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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 MJ-fan-1965 on December 29, 2012 at 5:38am

This is a question for Roger, Roger, can you click on the link with the photo (last link in the above) and give an opinion on the sig?  It enlarges so you can see the photo very close up. 

Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on December 29, 2012 at 6:45pm

I did more digging on the signed sketch that is with the shirt in the video's above as well as the freestanding pic by an easel.  It was on a site with signature on 10/23/08 (before MJ died) here:  http://mjhideout.com/forum/enciclopedia-mj/84484-logo-flash-michael...  In another random search I also found another signed picture for David Gest where he writes to David with that swirly kind of D listed on the one to Dennis.  http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00835/SNF30GEST1-682_835...   Just thought I'd share.  This sketch and one other was not offered for sale by Bush.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 28, 2012 at 3:07am


Hi everyone,

In the past day I've been shown footage that very sadly has caused me to factor in the strong possibility that Dennis Tompkins, even while sick and dying, could have "created" the second style of fake MJ signatures found on so many of the items sold by Julien's auctions - but I do not know that.  The person who shared the footage asked me to keep it private, and so I will not share it here.

As we've all seen in the past several weeks looking through its pages, examples of seemingly two variant MJ signature styles are present in the 2012 Julien's Collection of Tompkins and Bush catalog on hundreds of items.  I concur that in most all of the first version, the H in Michael and K in Jackson are more elongated than in the second style. I'm unsure of what images I can safely upload here from the Dec. 2 catalog, but two examples of the first signing style are (still uploaded on top of this page):



Examples of the second style can be seen on pgs. 50-51, and #661, #767, #852, #912 (?), #949 (?), #963, #977 in the 2012 Juliens-Bush catalog (like the 2010 "Thriller jacket style" shown here):  

Numerous examples of the $1.8M Thriller jacket style are now being discovered having been sold in previous Juliens auction catalogs with Bush-Tompkins provenance (consignment?). In doing some comparisons over the past weeks, like many of us, I observed the two "MJ" signature styles.  At the same time, I was noticing consistent, unique patterns in the signatures that many of us were noticing together. The same character traits that have been noted many times - long trailing tails, N loops, ungraceful J's, "Love", several overall sloppy un-MJ-like traits.

I am not a handwriting expert or professional autograph appraiser.

1.) Because I observed the above mentioned traits consistently in both of the Bush related signing styles;
2.) Because I believed (based on the timing of the sale and what Bush himself has shown the world) that between the two, it was Michael Lee Bush (and not Dennis Tompkins) that was the instigator and initiator of these apparent MJ forgeries;
3.) Because I still believe (based on information offered from Justin regarding Bush's comments reflective of mindset and character, and information from Karen Faye about possible reservations regarding Bush on MJ's part) that it was Tompkins who Michael ultimately respected as the creative designer (and Bush a decent sewer). Therefore, I had believed Tompkins was the one with the integrity;
4.) And lastly but in the forefront of my mind was the fact that Tompkins was ill and dying during the time these auction items began to be sold at Julien's.

Those were all the reasons I had ruled out Dennis Tompkins as a potential mass forger of MJ signatures for sale.

Like I said earlier, I have sadly been shown something that changes my mind on that situation.

It is the secondary Thriller jacket signature which has been found in earlier Julien's auctions.  The first signature style is more prevalent in the recent Julien-Bush sale.  I have my opinions as to why that is the case, but will leave it to the experts to decide.

Both signature styles are present on items recently sold by Bush-Juliens on Dec. 2nd.  Because of this, unless everyone would rather me use the "Tompkins-Bush signature style" semantic, I will continue to refer to both styles as "Bush signature style" or "classic Bush signature style".  Because Michael Lee Bush is the only remaining living individual to be consigning for The Collection of Tompkins and Bush.  And I think what matters now is that Bush has profited from the selling of both signature styles.

As far as who or how many hands created the two styles of mass produced MJ signature forgeries, I leave that to the authentication professionals and hopefully very soon the higher forces of legal justice handwriting experts to measure that out.

My thoughts: Someone (possibly Tompkins but I do not know who) signed the Thriller jacket style items sold in earlier Juliens auctions.  If it was Tompkins, then since he passed away, Bush presumably has taken over with the second signing style being manifested in the most recent Juliens auction. And the Thriller jacket style items seen in the latest auction could have been "leftovers" from Tompkins signs. That is 100% my guesstimation opinion ONLY. Again, I leave that to the more knowledgeable to sort out.

What matters is justice - for Michael Jackson and for anyone else wronged in this matter.

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 28, 2012 at 3:56am

The video footage that made me look again at the possibility of Tompkins is the one MJ-fan-1965 posted above here: http://youtu.be/dayFFcT1JbE

How could he not have at least known..  even though you can clearly see he is unwell.

I don't know who made those hundreds of fake MJ signatures, but I know who's profited from them.

Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on December 28, 2012 at 9:46am

Does anyone know where we can find Bush's book on line, pdf version, if not can someone load it so we can share in private, need to compare few things from it. Also does anyone know where we can see images of a party held in New York, i will let MJFan1958 ask about this, and lastly does anyone know where we can see images of costumes displayed at 02, Thank you, Everyone here is amazing, HAPPY NEW YEAR, in case im not back before..

Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on December 30, 2012 at 11:30am

Has anyone gotten back to you on this?  I looked again the other night with no luck.  I would love to look through the photos. 

Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on December 30, 2012 at 9:02am

Juliens auction Icons and Idols December 3, 2010 -  

More examples of the 2012 Julien-Bush catalog signature style  ($1.8M Thriller jacket style)

Lot 608  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HISTORY POSTER FROM DUBLIN.  Sold for $1,920.

"A HIStory tour poster from Dublin, Ireland advertising Michael Jackson's July 19, 1997 concert at The Royal Dublin Society.  Signed "Love Michael Jackson" in black ink.   60 by 40 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1728/


Lot 605  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HISTORY TOUR POSTER.  Sold for $1,920.

"A HIStory tour poster signed "Love Michael Jackson" in black ink.  The poster features the monumental statue of Jackson used in the HIStory teaser produced to promote the album.  34 by 24 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1729/


Lot 610  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HISTORY MAGAZINE CUTOUT.  Sold for $1,625.

"A color photograph of Michael Jackson dressed in a black leather jacket against a red background with text in English and Russian advertising the September 17, 1996 HIStory World Tour performance in Moscow.  Signed by Michael Jackson in black felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2394/

Note:  You can currently purchase an UNsigned one of these adverts (along with the advert below this one) on eBay for $5.00-5.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-concert-posters-from-Moscow-1996-Michael-...

Lot 602  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HISTORY TOUR MAGAZINE CUTOUT.  Sold for $1,375.

"A color photograph of Michael Jackson in stone relief  against a fiery backgroud with text in English and Russian advertising the September 17 Moscow concert of the 1996 HIStory World Tour.  Signed by Michael Jackson in black felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2395/

Note:  You can currently purchase an UNsigned one of these adverts (along with the advert above this one) on eBay for $5.00-5.50

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-concert-posters-from-Moscow-1996-Michael-...


Lot 578  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED TIME MAGAZINE POSTER.  Sold for $1,600.

"A poster based on the March 19, 1984 cover of Time Magazine by Andy Warhol of Michael Jackson.  The poster is signed "Love, Michael Jackson." 28 1/2 by 20 1/4 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1734/




Lot 611  - MICHAEL JACKSON SET OF CONCERT DRESSING ROOM DOOR CARDS.  Sold for $640.

A set of six concert dressing room door cards from the 1992-1993 Dangerous World Tour.  The cards are labelled as follows:  "Female Artists, Dancers, Singers, Band", "Male Singers", "Hair and Makeup", "Band Room", "Male Dancers", and "Wardrobe".  The "Female Artists" card is signed in black felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2396/



Lot 614  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BANNER.  Sold for $3,000.

"A printed banner in synthetic fabric, featuring two images of Michael Jackson and signed in black felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2386/

Note:  An UNsigned one of these banners just did NOT sell on eBay for $10.00  (and that included auction 'extras' of 4 postcards).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Michael-Jackson-very-large-flag-from-the-19...



Lot 616  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BANNER.  Sold for $3,000.

"A color poster of Michael Jackson published by Oliver Books of London and signed in black ink by Michael Jackson.  36 by 24 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1733/


 Lot 615  - MICHAEL JACKSON DANCER COSTUME MADE FOR SOUL TRAIN AWARDS.  Sold for $5,000.

"An Egyptian themed three-piece Pharoah costume featuring a gold tone chest plate with red jeweled rhinestone cuffs, an iridescent pleated loincloth skirt with gold tone accents and satin lined multicolored silk central swatch, and a gold tone head dress with backed with a striped head cloth .  The head piece is marked "NBC Extra".  The  satin lined decoration of the loincloth is signed in silver felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson".  This costume was worn by one of Michael Jackson's back up dancers at the 7th Annual Soul Train Awards.  Jackson and his dancers were dressed to resemble the video made for the song he performed "Remember the Time."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2376/


Lot 600  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED HISTORY TOUR POSTER.  Sold for $3,750.

"A HIStory Tour posters signed "Love Michael Jackson" in silver ink. 33 by 23 1/4 inches."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1730/



Lot 551  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED T-SHIRT FEATURING MICKEY MOUSE.  Sold for $1,250.

" A white cotton Disney T-Shirt depicting Mickey Mouse lounging in a swim suit on a beach chair, with the text "Barcelona" below.  Signed in red felt tip pen, "Love Michael Jackson".  Size L."

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/2388/


Lot 589  - MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED BAD ERA POSTER.  Sold for $5,000.

"A poster published by Oliver Books of London, signed "Love, Michael Jackson."  A modified version of this image appeared on Jackson's single for "Liberian Girl" in 1989. 35 1/4 by 23 1/2 inches"

http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/11/lot/1732/

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 30, 2012 at 9:28am
They must have been signed back in the day when Jackson was spelling Michael with two L's.
Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on December 30, 2012 at 9:53am

That is an interesting "catch".  I still don't think they look anything like Bush's auction, but they are all one particular style. 

Permalink Reply by TeamMichael777 on December 30, 2012 at 9:44am

OH MY GOOD GOD!! Wendy please check you emails,,

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 30, 2012 at 10:59am

I can't believe it. I've been staring at the most blatant error in this style of Jackson the entire time and I only just realized it...thank you Wendy!

Every one I've seen so far, including the $1.8 million Thriller jacket, is signed with two L's. Whoever forged these didn't realize that the loop at the end of Michael on genuine ones is actually an L!

I don't know for sure who forged them...but I think this is case-closed proof that this style is forged. Just my opinion....

Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on December 30, 2012 at 11:54am

LOL I think its awesome... and it does show the two very diff styles (and someones stupidity).   :)  

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