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 TeamMichael777 on January 13, 2013 at 1:13pm

Thank you Mr Frost

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 13, 2013 at 2:59pm

Thanks, Mike. When were you sent them?

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte Stanley on January 14, 2013 at 12:00pm

what does a person look for in an autograph to tell them its a forgery? What about this one?

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Christine on January 15, 2013 at 1:09am

Hmm. Interesting example Charlotte. The double L in Michael I don't like. And the "Love". Especially the V and the E. But the Jackson doesn't look bad, so.................... ??

Oh, regarding what a person need look for in an MJ autograph to tell them its a forgery... Here are two signature styles to run from ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte Stanley on January 15, 2013 at 9:53am

yep obvious ones from afar!!!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on January 15, 2013 at 10:43am

The basic shape and proportions of the piece above, signed on cardboard, are good, but the autograph appears to be traced to me. What's the story?

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte Stanley on January 15, 2013 at 11:14am

I was curious to hear comments. The story is.... I did this myself. Just to show how easy it is to do his signature. It wasnt traced. It was free hand, but the cardboard is a little bumpy. Anyway I am no forger and would never do such a thing as I am honest. This has already been thrown in trash. It amazes me that we see such bad forgerys such as the Bush ones when I can do better myself, LOL. Just thought Id make that point.

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Permalink Reply by MJ-fan-1965 on January 15, 2013 at 11:25am

lol I am over here cracking up Charlotte, I honestly said to myself when I saw it, that isn't half bad if it actually turns out not real (gee, Bush should have hired you!!!), but I have learned to shut up some on this list, and I only say something if I have a fact :) lololol

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Permalink Reply by Charlotte Stanley on January 15, 2013 at 11:56am

Its funny. Just sit and sign his name a bunch of times. Sometimes they turn out pretty good. Maybe passable. I mean one thing about the autograph business is its pretty subjective. I surely understand having provenance. So that is why the Bush ones are so arguable in Juliens defense, but as Bush says- you can pretty much say or do anything since Michael is no longer here. Still, all any expert can do is do the best they can and compare samples and learn the artists hand. Honestly if you try doing your own samples it will help you a bunch in learning forgeries- it has for me anyway.