MACAU.- The Hollywood Legends auction was successfully conducted by
Juliens Auctions at the Ponte 16 Resort Hotel, Macau (Ponte 16) today. Ponte 16 is the venue sponsor for this first auction held by Juliens Auctions in Asia, which has attracted buyers and collectors of Hollywood and Rock n Roll pop culture artifacts from around the world. 435 auction items were sold during the 11-hour auction, bringing in a total of US $3.2 million.
The auction was conducted in two sessions featuring stage costumes and collectibles from a number of superstars and celebrities. Items auctioned in the first session included the personal belongings of Princess Diana, Bruce Lee, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles, as well as an assortment of pop culture artifacts from Hollywood Blockbuster movies. Meanwhile, items of Michael Jackson (MJ), The Jackson 5, Madonna and Elvis Presley were sold in the second session. Apart from participating in the auction in person, many bidders also joined the auction through absentee bidding, online platform or bid over the telephone. More than 10,000 bidders from the United States and Canada along with different parts in Europe such as France, Switzerland, and Ireland participated in the exciting auction to compete fiercely with bidders from Asia, especially Japan. Representatives from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and PRC MJ fans club also attended the auction.
The auction has brought to Macau a rare collection of pop culture historical artifacts. Among them are Bruce Lees Game of Death shoes, selling to a US bidder for US$12,500 including buyers premium. Michael Jacksons black glove and arm brace, with a highest estimated price of US $50,000, was also sold to a US bidder for US $216,000 including buyers premium after several rounds of intensive bidding. Michael Keatons costume in Batman Returns fetched US $43,750 including buyers premium. The ball gown of Princess Diana, received over-whelming responses from bidders. The item sold for US$114,000 including buyers premium. Furthermore, MJs BAD era jacket was sold at 19 times over the highest estimated price at US $156,000 including buyers premium. The most stunning result went to the Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan signed basketball, which was sold at 366 times over the highest estimated price at US $294,000 including buyers premium.
Ponte 16 participated enthusiastically in the auction as well, taking advantage of this opportunity to enrich its own collection of collectibles. Last November, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ponte 16, Dr. Hoffman Ma successfully bid for the white rhinestone glove which MJ wore on his left hand in his iconic Moonwalk dance for the first time. This time, Dr. Ma, representing Ponte 16, successfully bid for MJ electric jacket and used towel at US $102,000 including buyers premium and MJ signed guitar at US $10,000. As both items were won at nearly 12 times over the highest estimated price, all the participants gave their big hands to Ponte 16. The resort is planning to place the newly acquired collectibles in the MJ Gallery to continuously enrich its display attracting visitors from all over the world.
Dr. Ambrose So, Chairman of Ponte 16, said, Ponte 16 is delighted to be the venue sponsor of this international auction. The success of the auction has demonstrated the world-class standard of our facilities and services, and reinforced our determination in bringing in more international events to Macau. The two items of Michael Jackson we have newly acquired from the auction will further add to the exhibits of our MJ Gallery. As the only hotel resort in the historic Inner Harbour area, we will continue with our efforts to introduce exciting tourist features to Macau and to enhance Macaus role as a centre of diversified tourism and entertainment, attracting visitors from near and far.
We are thrilled to see such success in our first auction in Asia. We thank Ponte 16 for such an excellent venue and facilities. Our successful cooperation with Ponte 16 this time bodes well for future cooperation and I am confident this will help to bring our business to a new height. These international events are set to attract more tourists to Macau and Asia, said President and Chief Executive Officer of Juliens Auctions, Mr. Darren Julien.
This auction was significant because of the legendary items offered, and also historical since this was the first pop culture auction conducted in Asia by a U.S. auction house, said Mr. Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Juliens Auctions.
Ponte 16 introduced an array of promotion activities during the National Day Golden Week, including Hollywood Legends Exhibition in which over 200 pieces of the 435 auction items are on display. The exhibition has successfully attracted around 10,000 people and the event finished at a high note with the successful auction.
Additional Highlights Include:
Johnny Depps Ring Worn in The Pirates of the Caribbean Sold For: $8,125
Bruce Lees Game of Death Shoes Sold For: $12,500
Bruce Lee Game of Death Stunt Double Costume Sold For: $18,750
Michael Keatons Batman Returns Costume Sold For: $43,750
Marilyn Monroes Chest X-Ray Sold For: $11,250
Five President John F. Kennedys Pelvis X-Rays Sold For: $28,125
Princess Diana Ball Gown Sold For: $114,000
Kurt Cobain Letter to MTV Sold For: $12,500
Madonna Girlie Show Stage Ensemble Sold For: $23,750
Jackson Five Stage Costumes Sold For: $31,250
Michael Jackson Military Style Jacket Worn at 1983 Press Conference Sold For: $50,000
Michael Jackson Stage Worn Fedora Sold For: $43,750
Michael Jackson Handwritten Billie Jean Lyrics Sold For: $43,750
Michael Jackson Stage Worn Beat It Jacket Sold For: $96,000
Michael Jackson Jacket and Shirt Worn in Pepsi Commercial Sold For: $168,000
Michael Jackson Bad Style Jacket Sold For: $156,000
Michael Jacksons Custom Belt Sold For: $53,125
Michael Jackson Lighted Jacket Sold For: $102,000
Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan Signed Basketball Sold For: $294,000
Michael Jacksons Black Glove Sold For: $216,000
Michael Jackson Stage Worn Shoes Sold For: $66,000
Michael Jackson Crystal Socks Sold For: $96,000