Jackson auction thriller set to have fans in a flutter

AN AUCTION of memorabilia of pop family the Jacksons is being prepared in Las Vegas.

Among the highlights on display ahead of the sale are a bullet-proof vest, a Bill Whitten-designed militaristic red coat with gold rope that belonged to Michael Jackson, and a 1987 contract detailing the star’s $30 million (€22 million) purchase of the California ranch that became Neverland.

This is being called the largest auction of Jackson family memorabilia ever, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and items are expected to fetch millions of dollars from bidders tomorrow and Thursday.

“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence,” said Arlan Ettinger of auction house Guernsey’s.

Other highlights include a pink Mae West dress worn by Janet Jackson at the age of eight during performances at the MGM Grand Las Vegas in 1974.

The items go on sale after a court battle that ended two weeks ago when Michael Jackson’s lawyers reached a settlement and dropped an effort to block the auction.