We knew when Prince died, there’d be lots of items popping up for sale. Of course, on eBay, that meant a lot of forged Prince signatures. The higher end Prince items have gone to the bigger auction houses.

In March, Prince’s ex, Mayte Garcia, auctioned off a lot of memorabilia, and it didn’t quite go as planned. Most of the items were withdrawn and only a few sold. The faux-diamond encrusted handcuffs, which Prince used on a tour, did find a buyer (side note: nothing makes a better anniversary gift than giving the wife handcuffs covered in diamonds). The cuffs were also used in a video for “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” which is said to be written about Mayte.

There was also a cancelled check, with his signature and full name -- Prince Nelson. That went for a few thousand.

There was a set of wedding china, and dishes that had his symbol all over them (this was during the time he went by the symbol, and was often called “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.”). There were props, costumes, and other items that might eventually sell, but didn’t this time around.

There was another auction recently, and the wardrobe Prince wore in Purple Rain sold. It had the singer’s white ruffled shirt (didn’t Jerry Seinfeld make fun of a shirt like this in an episode?). There was also a black-and-white, leather-sleeved blazer from that film. They went for $96,000 each.

Profiles in History held the auction, and they acquired the items from a make-up artist who worked on Purple Rain. They also say the items were scheduled to go on the auction block even before Prince died on April 21st.

One item of interest, sold to another famous person. That’s not so unusual. I’ve written before about how George Michael bought the white piano John Lennon recorded “Imagine” on. Anyway, the distinctive “yellow cloud” guitar, was sold to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. He paid $137,500 for it. That’s a drop in the bucket if you think about the contract he just gave quarterback Andrew Luck ($140 million of six years). But I digest (I just ate a big brunch).

I’m wondering if the person that bought the 1978 demo tapes, would be able to release the songs. I’m guessing that’s a big fat no, so...I’m not sure how that was a wise investment.

Anyway, it’s not the first music memorabilia pieces Irsay has purchased. Remember, he bought that Ringo Starr drum set, and has other Beatle instruments, as well as some Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead items.

So, for anybody that wants to buy instruments, autographs, and original, handwritten song lyrics...here’s how you do it. First...get yourself an NFL team.