MICHAEL JACKSON

A late addition to Michael Jackson’s stage wardrobe, this left-hand glove adorned with Swarovski crystals dates from the final phase of his career, when certain accessories became instantly recognisable visual hallmarks. The accompanying documentation places the item in Seoul on 25 June 1999, during the ‘Michael Jackson and Friends’ concert, following on from the major stage appearances of the late 1990s.

Its provenance is based on several distinct documentary elements. A letter from Brian Morse (2015) states that the glove was worn during performances in Seoul before being handed over at the end of the medley, according to the author’s account. A certificate issued by Knaisz Auctions (2017) describes the item as a left-hand “Billie Jean” glove adorned with Swarovski crystals and bearing a Dennis Tompkins & Michael Bush label, and links it to the 1999 Seoul concert based on information recorded in the auction catalogue.

DNA analyses carried out in 2018 by Alliance DNA Laboratory and ARCpoint Labs on two gloves (lot no. 30 and lot no. 38) and the Billie Jean trousers (lot no. 15) reveal the same male profile, obtained from samples taken from the linings.
This consistency across several items of clothing suggests they were worn by the same person and provides evidence in favour of the outfit having been used on stage. However, these tests, carried out privately and without comparison to a reference profile associated with Michael Jackson, cannot constitute proof of use by the artist. They should be regarded as supplementary documentary evidence to the provenance already established by written documentation.
The results of these analyses will be provided to the purchaser.

Given the convergence of its construction, documentation and DNA analyses within the set, this glove appears to be particularly compelling evidence of Michael Jackson’s later stage wardrobe.

ADDENDUM: Bidders are advised to take note of this information before placing their bid.

This lot is the subject of a dispute raised by one of the designers, Mr Michael Bush. However, no expert report or technical details specific to this lot have been provided by him to date. Furthermore, the previous owner of the lots, Mr Richard Fossaas, has informed us in writing of a long-standing personal dispute between himself and Mr Bush, predating this sale and unrelated to this lot, as well as of Mr Bush’s systematic opposition to items from his collection bearing the label ‘Dennis Thompkins & Michael Bush’.