* MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson’s first solo world tour, the Bad World Tour (1987–1989), cemented his status as an absolute pop icon, with 123 concerts and over four million attendees worldwide. From the mid-1980s onwards, the Swarovski glove became one of his most recognisable visual trademarks, immortalised on stage, in the press and on magazine covers to the point of becoming a symbol on a par with the Thriller jacket. 

Originally introduced to highlight the choreographed movements of his right hand in ‘Billie Jean’ in the early 1980s, the crystal glove evolved, by the time of the album Bad (1987), into a true stage signature, available in several more robust versions suited to the intensity of the tour. The item presented here belongs to this generation of ‘Bad era’ gloves, designed to withstand the rigours of touring whilst retaining the dazzling brilliance characteristic of Swarovski Lochrosen crystals, which catch the spotlight beams.

David Pencer’s account, dated 6 March 2001, places this glove within the context of the Bad World Tour, as Michael Jackson was preparing for the series of concerts in July 1988 at Wembley Stadium. He recounts that, during a rehearsal for the performance on 14 July 1988, whilst standing backstage on the stage right, Jackson threw the glove at him with his right hand during the choreography for ‘Billie Jean’ to get rid of it for a moment. Pencer is said to have kept it in his jacket pocket so as not to lose it during the session, then returned it to the artist. Michael Jackson is said to have then confided that he no longer liked the glove, which had been damaged by the concerts, and invited him to keep it as a souvenir.

Given this account, the significant wear and tear on the fingers—consistent with the pressure points from the microphone on the palm of a right-hand glove—and the central role of ‘Billie Jean’ and the crystal glove in the Bad World Tour, it is reasonable to regard this as a stage glove from that period, most likely worn during several concerts on the tour, in the cities immediately preceding Wembley: Paris (Parc des Princes, 27 and 28 June 1988), Hamburg (Volkspark Stadium, 1 July 1988), Cologne (Mungersdorfer Stadium, 3 July 1988), Munich (Olympic Stadium, 8 July 1988) and Hockenheim (10 July 1988). This intensive use over several dates explains the marked and worn appearance of the fabric, closely resembling the impression one gets of a stage prop that has been used on several evenings at the same stadium.

Through a combination of direct provenance (a signed letter from a member of his inner circle), scholarly documentation and technical characteristics consistent with the Bad-era gloves analysed by Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, the pair from David Pencer stands out as one of the very few Michael Jackson stage gloves documented so comprehensively.

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’.

David Pencer, Michael Jackson’s bodyguard during the promotion of the album *Bad*, to whom the artist gave the glove during rehearsals for the concert on 14 July 1988 at Wembley Stadium, London, and who has kept it ever since (original letter of provenance dated 6 March 2001 enclosed); subsequently sold to a private collection.

GWS Auction, lot 6 of the sale on 3 November 2018.

Subsequently, Knaisz Auctions issued a certificate of authenticity no. 42875153 to confirm the glove’s authenticity. Richard

Fossaas collection, sold to a private New York collection. 

- DNA analysis report prepared by ARCpoint Labs / DNA Safe on a sample taken from the inside of the glove, establishing a complete male (XY) profile from ancient biological fragments preserved in the lining. 

- Sample chain of custody file (Alliance / MedPro) documenting the collection, sealing and transport to the laboratory.

- Letter of provenance signed by David Pencer, on personal letterhead, describing the handover of the glove by Michael Jackson during rehearsals on 14 July 1988 at Wembley Stadium and explaining why the glove was discarded due to damage sustained on stage.

- Bad World Tour, Wembley Stadium, London, 14 July 1988: concert ticket, pass and original documents kept by David Pencer, attesting to his professional presence ‘stage right’ on that day.

This consignment is being imported on a temporary basis.