Celebrity Autographs – Michael Jackson, not Just Paper

June 26, 2009 - Yesterday Michael Jackson died. So, for the next few months there will be thousands of articles, TV and online dedications. We will hear all the talking heads discussing his legacy. His fans and those who were skeptical of him (primarily his personal life dramas) . But, whatever is said, there no denying we may have just lost the most gifted entertainer the world has ever experienced. But, I will leave all that to the insatiable media.

But, what I would like to share with you is a memorable experience, that maybe helps non-collectors understand WHY passionate collectors spend so much time and money on acquiring their own collectible passions. You see, this is about one of the first celebrity autographs I ever acquired. Sometime in the early/mid 80’s I was walking with a friend in Providence, RI. As we walked past the Biltmore Hotel, we noticed a crowd gathered near the back door, in the alley behind the hotel. Unknown to us Michael Jackson had just performed at the Providence Civic Center. So, like a couple of young 20 something kids we went to the front entrance for an MJ sighting. Just as we entered, we looked toward the glass elevator where we could see him going up, with several adoring young girls screaming below. Hotel Security was standing there so no one had a chance to follow him up. After about 20 minutes my friend somehow found out what floor he was on. As we attempted to enter the elevator hotel security asked where we were going. And, like a “genius” I responded “to party with our friend Mike”. He just looked at us, smiling at my corny sense of humor, and shook his head “no”.

So, since luck was not with us on that particular night of opportunity we decided to go to a nearby bar. After a couple hours a few guys walked in and sat next to us. I started up a conversation with one of them who turns out was on the security detail for Jackson. He told us what a crazy night it was and was amazed at how obsessed people were about MJ. He then reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a slip of paper with a signature on it. He says that since everyone was asking for autographs, he felt awkward not also getting a memento of his famous client. So, he asked the hotel clerk for a piece of paper. The hotel clerk pulled out a blank pad and ripped a piece of paper. He walked over to MJ and waited for a second of opportunity. MJ then signed that piece of paper. Somewhere along the night I became the new owner of that piece of paper from the nearly intoxicated security guard (I think it cost me a beer). The only thing I recall him telling me about MJ was that he was standing next to MJ back stage and that MJ was taller than expected, and also that MJ made a humorous remark just before going on stage.

Ok, I know this is not such an exciting story, since we never did meet the “King of Pop”. But, what I realized last night is that as a dealer of celebrity autographs and movie posters, I never put this autograph up for sale. I have maintained it in my collection for about 25 years. I have always known it was there and often looked at it while organizing my office. However, this was not the typical autograph acquisition by purchase, this was an “experience”. That’s when I remembered, what I’ve always believed, autograph collecting is NOT just a signature on a piece of paper, it’s an “experience”. It is an experience to own a piece of history. Owning an autograph document signed by John Kennedy is not just a piece of paper, it’s a piece of all the history that JFK contributed to the human race. Even a piece of DNA from this 50 year old pop music icon indeed had important historical, cultural, and social significance.

The Michael Jackson autograph I acquired that night 25 years ago was an experience that is multidimensional. My own experience as a young 22 year old, Michael Jackson’s magic on the city of Providence the security detail that protected MJ and their personal contact with him. And, a small piece of DNA from what many believe could have been the most incredibly gifted, gargantuan of an entertainer the universe had ever experienced. Michael Jackson’s cultural, and social significance may even today be underestimated. Just think, nearly 100 years after Rudolph Valentino’s death his cultural impact is still with us, just look at what collectors will pay for his original memorabilia. And, Valentino didn’t have the global appeal that MJ had. I have no doubt that today’s 14 year old girl will be telling her great-grandchildren about Michael Jackson.

So, this MJ signed piece is not just an autograph I bought or won at an auction. It is an in person experience on a night when I was within arm’s reach of the King of Pop himself.

**NOTE: A word of Caution! Be very cautious if considering buying Michael Jackson memorabilia, About 80-90% of all Michael Jackson autographs on eBay are fake or printed signatures. A lot of unscrupulous eBay sellers are trying to capitalize on the “Jackson Death” phenomenon. Also, Jackson memorabilia is at a peak right now because of the recent death, so just wait a while and most of it will probably come down.