Michael Jackson
Autographed "Thriller" 12" Vinyl, with record and inner sleeve, ca. 1987
No reserve
Lot Closed
October 24, 05:42 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
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Description
Michael Jackson
Thriller
Vinyl 12", Signed by Jackson on front cover in red marker. Offered with vinyl and inner sleeve.
Letter of authenticity dated March 18, 1987, states: “I don't understand the relevance of 1998, 3 circles and an arrow. But this will definitely be a collector's item…”
The present lot is accompanied by a letter from Bradley J. Naples, the president of New England Digital.
New England Digital were the manufacturers of the Synclavier—the early digital synthesizer and digital sampling system that was a pioneering development in the history of pop music engineering. NED's Synclavier was famously used on Michael Jackson's 1982 release Thriller. For example, the gong effect at the beginning of "Beat It" was created on the Synclavier and the now-iconic pipe organ that opens "Thriller" the single was also created using the machine.
Naples' letter describes Jackson's unique signature on the present lot—his name, followed by the year 1998, 3 o's, and an arrow—noting that the singularity will ensure the piece would one day become a collector's item.
While Naples was unaware of this at the time this letter was penned, it is believed amongst Jackson fans that this unique signature is an affection stemming from his faith as a Jehovah's Witness. Before the new millennium, Jehovah's Witnesses predicted that the rapture would occur at the end of 1999. While the exact significance to the King of Pop is unknown, Jackson seemingly adopted this signature in reference to this predicted end of the world.