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Michael Jackson's iconic 'glittery glove' to be auctioned in New York
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One of Michael Jackson’s most iconic symbols, the glittery glove he wore during the height of his career in the mid-1980s, will be auctioned in New York this fall.
The impressive sale of rock ‘n roll memorabilia also includes Jimi Hendricks’ lyrics an early Madonna demo tape.
Jackson had several glittery gloves over the years, but this one purports to be the original left-handed glove he wore when he unveiled the look at Motown's 25th-anniversary TV special in 1983, according to Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions.
The left-handed glove is a modified, store-bought glove covered with a mesh of rhinestones. Jackson wore later gloves on his right hand, and they are more elaborate productions with hand-sewn crystals.
The glove, which Julien calls "the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson memorabilia," will be the centerpiece of the Nov. 21 "Music Icons" auction at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City's Times Square.
Julien claims the glove, which should sell for $40,000 to $60,000, has the provenance to prove it’s the original. Walter "Clyde" Orange, a founding member of the Commodores singing group, has had the glove since Jackson gave it to him in 1983.
Orange said he got met Jackson when the Commodores toured with the Jackson 5 in the 1970s. Orange said he would always ask the young entertainer for an autograph, but Jackson refused, saying Orange was the more famous of the two. The autograph request became a private joke.
They met again in March 1983 when the Motown special was taped. Jackson sang with his brothers, then took the stage and stunned the world solo performance of "Billie Jean." He wore the glove, his trademark fedora and unveiled the moonwalk dance step.
Orange picked u on the private joke and ask Jackson, again, autograph. Jackson, ever modest, gave him the glove instead.
After Jackson's June 25 death at age 50, Orange decided the glove was too significant to keep.
"There's a hundred other gloves out there, but this is the one you want. He blew up after that (performance) with 'Billie Jean,'" Orange, 62, told the AP. "The world should see this. This is the first. That's the song that made him shoot through the roof as a superstar."
Orange wants the glove to be housed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or a similar institution. The proceeds from the sale will benefit MusiCares, an organization that helps musicians struggling with substance abuse.
