Debbie & Julien’s Auctions

Debbie Jackson, a fan from New Zealand, went to America in June to Julien’s Auction and was given a special treat. Now she’s back, she has kindly sent us an article about her experience, which she would like to share with you all.

“I firstly became aware of Julien’s Auctions, after the advertising commenced for the memorabilia being sold of Michael’s from Neverland Valley Ranch, which was due to hit the hammer in April 2009. Due to my interest in the items, I ordered a couple of catalogue’s from them.

After the auction was cancelled and hit world news as, “The Greatest Auction That Never Was,” I began to follow keenly, with interest, aand wondered what might happen next with this auction house.

Later, I became aware of their auction taking place in New York and once again ordered a couple of catalogues. I then received an email from Martin Nolan director of Julien’s Auctions, inviting me to join them in New York in November, 2009. I explained that this would be impossible for me, but that I would like somehow to participate in it. Due to my interest, a series of communications went back and forth between us, and I ended up purchasing two items of Michael’s through online direct auction bidding.

The friendship with Julien’s grew somewhat after this, including communication from Darren Julien who invited me to come as a V.I.P guest to the auction at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Both Darren and Martin seemed to be delighted with my long term loyalty and love for Michael.

I initially informed them both, that I intended to be in Los Angeles for Michael’s anniversary, so that I could join friends in the celebration’s and mourning for our loved one. Through their persistence over the next couple of weeks, I decided to “follow the flow” and go to Las Vegas first to join them and then onto L.A. after the auction. I was informed it would be worth my while and that I would not be disappointed.

When I arrived in Las Vegas, I was treated with the utmost respect and received many surprises, including being filmed for Fuji Television News live in Japan, and Fox 5 News for Las Vegas. I was also interviewed throughout three days by Julien’s own TV camera crew for their hour TV special which is still pending publication.

On the 24th of June, (while being interviewed by the camera crew) I was informed that a surprise awaited me and that any minute I was going to be holding Michael’s 1984 Victory Tour Glove, which later sold in the Auction for $192,000. This news took me by surprise, leaving me trembling and almost speechless. I had to be prompted to say anything. To hold Michael’s glove in my hands, to draw it to my heart, to kiss it and nurture it, was one of the most humbling and emotional experiences ever. I feel truly blessed to have such an honour bestowed on me by Darren Julien and Martin Nolan, and subsequently, that I must surely be the luckiest fan in the world to have been given this opportunity.

When previously telling Martin, I was stressed that I would be missing out on many events in L.A. and he replied “don’t worry Debbie, things will work out as they are supposed to,” I now knew the meaning of his words and why. If I had of been in L.A., I know that much time would have been spent in tears at a variety of venues, and instead I spent an amazing seven days surrounded by property of Michael and received the gift from Julien’s of being presented with his glove to hold and was totally spoilt by them during my stay.

In the days leading up to the 25th June 2010, I had on many occasions become tearful while in the company of others at the Auction venue, but holding Michael’s Glove seemed to lift my emotions somewhat, because I felt part of him close to me. When I finally left Planet Hollywood that evening for my own hotel, I floated up the Las Vegas strip with my feet not touching the ground and my mind filled with intensities of what had happened to me this day and wanting to share this with everyone I could.

Michael – I just can’t stop loving you, and if I did, what would I do?

Michael – Though we’re far apart, you’re always in my heart.”

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Source: MJWN with special thanks to Debbie Jackson – Auckland, New Zealand