With great care, Richard Singh prepares Michael Jackson’s worn diamond glove. “This is normally not so open and exposed here. You don’t just take a jukebox with you, but with a glove like that you could still run away,” laughs the owner of Dutch Auction Company.
Once, again, sold. This is what it sounds like more than five hundred times on Saturday afternoon in the auction hall on Ringbaan Noord in Tilburg. There are jukeboxes, organs and arcade cabinets, but this time also a very special Michael Jackson collection under the hammer. This includes clothes, a hat, shoes and even a signature diamond glove worn by the King of Pop. “So many iconic pieces in one auction is unique,” says Richard.
Unique and therefore worth a lot of money. “We expect between 30,000 and 50,000 euros for the glove,” the auctioneer explains. “The rest of the items around 7,000 euros.” In total, the total value is expected to be higher than 100,000 euros. But it can be even crazier. “If we really get into a bidding war, the glove alone could fetch more than a hundred thousand.”
“I am completely amazed that this is here in Tilburg.”
Although the Tilburg auction house regularly auctions special items, this Michael Jackson collection is very special. “We have had individual items before, but so many iconic pieces in an auction is unique.”
People regularly walk in on Thursday mornings to look at the various auction items. A Tilburg woman is on her way to work when she quickly pops in to view Michael Jackson’s worn items. “Could I have a look at them?” she cautiously asks the founder of Dutch Auction Company.
The items had already been put away, because the auctioneer is erring on the side of caution. When the items are neatly displayed again, the woman is amazed. “Beautiful, really cool,” she says. “I am completely amazed that it is here in Tilburg, close to home.”
“I can ask my husband if I can have him for Sinterklaas.”
Making an offer yourself is a bit too much for the woman. “It’s a bit much for my wallet, but I can ask my husband if I can have him for Sinterklaas,” she says with a wink.
Michael Jackson’s things in Tilburg are iconic. “We as Brabanders can be proud of that,” says Richard. He indicates that the items go under the hammer at his auction house for a reason. “I think such an American would choose to auction with us, because it is better for people from Europe to buy from a European auction house. That is less complicated in terms of transport, for example.”
Whether the glove and the other items will indeed sell for more than €100,000 will be announced on Saturday evening. The auction starts at one o’clock in the afternoon and the auction is expected to last at least eight hours.
