Tim Whitby/Getty ImagesAttention would-be memorabilia buyers: Beat it.
Michael Jackson has successfully managed to halt a planned auction of nearly 1,400 pieces of clothing, furniture and other items from his estate and all of the lots—such as the elaborate entry gates to Neverland Ranch, the crystal-studded glove he wore in the "Billie Jean" video and a carousel horse signed by Elizabeth Taylor—will be returned to him, according to a rep for Jackson and the auction house that was presiding over the sale.
The goods, which organizers had projected could rake in up to $30 million at auction, are currently on display in Beverly Hills. Curiosity seekers can take a gander for $20 a head until April 25.
"There was so much interest from so many of Jackson's fans that instead of putting the items in the hands of private collectors, Dr. Tohme and Julien's Auction House have made arrangements that will allow the collection to be shared with and enjoyed by Jackson's fans for many years to come," both parties said in a joint statement Monday.
No further details on the sudden settlement were available; a hearing on MMJ Productions' request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled for tomorrow in Los Angeles Superior Court. On April 3, a judge refused to stop the sale, and counsel for Julien's Auction House had expressed confidence that the auction would go on as planned.
Proceeds, minus the auction house commission, had been expected to be split between Jackson and a music charity.
Julien's had been authorized to cart off the heap of glitzy gear and other doodads when Jackson's Neverland Ranch underwent a financial reorganization, but the comebacking artist's camp filed suit March 4 to stop the auction, claiming Jackson had never signed off on the final list of items.
in our Michael Jackson Auction photo gallery.