“I just couldn’t believe it, really euphoric,” says Dave (43) from Budel, still full of adrenaline. When the hammer fell, his heart skipped a beat. He was the new owner of Michael Jackson’s iconic glove. For the Brabander, who has been a fan of the King of Pop for years, a childhood dream came true. Not only the glove, but also a pair of shoes worn by the pop star are now his property. A dream that cost him a lot: he ultimately paid more than 57,000 euros for it.
Dave grew up listening to Michael Jackson’s music and even saw him live twice. He previously bought a cap with Jackson’s signature, but the glove and shoes of the auction in Tilburg feel like the icing on the cake for him.
His love for the pop star goes so far that he named his son Jackson. “A cool name that shows my passion,” says Dave proudly.
“I expected the price to be much higher.”
Dave came by on Thursday to admire the glove, but then it started to itch. At home he agreed with his wife on a maximum amount. “I was thinking around forty to fifty thousand euros, that was my ceiling.”
He never expected he would be able to rake in both items. “I expected the price to be much higher. If I had known I had a chance to win the glove, I would never have bid on the shoes,” Dave says, laughing. “But now I enjoy them both.”
“I broke out in a sweat.”
During the auction the tension remained palpable until the last moment. Auctioneer Richard Singh explains that there were many international online bidders, but in the end there was only Dave in the room and one other internet bidder.
“From 22,000 euros onwards they really started competing with each other,” says Singh. When the hammer fell on a bid of 37,000 euros, it was clear: Dave had won the glove. “It was a boy’s dream come true,” he says, laughing.
In the end he paid €48,192.50 for the glove and €9,118 for the shoes, bringing the total expenditure for the evening to €57,310.50. That was just above his budget. The difference with the hammer price is due to auction costs and 21 percent VAT, which are added to the bid.
“Soon there will also be a beautiful legacy for my son Jackson.”
Dave says this was his final offer. “I broke out in a sweat. At 37,000 euros I decided to bid one last time. I promised myself: if he bids 38, I will stop,” says Dave.
Dave will pick up the collector’s items on Monday. At home they are not left loose on the table. “They will be locked up. I want to store them safely,” he says.
For Dave, it is both a passion purchase and an investment. “A car only becomes less valuable. This remains unique and it will also be a beautiful legacy for my son Jackson.”
