Michael Jackson items bring in cash

Photo by Philip Scott Andrews, Associated Press

Cristina Arreola stops to look at some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic wardrobe pieces, including the white suit he wore on the cover of the “Thriller” album, in a quickly erected display at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Friday. Jackson died Thursday.

Photo by Philip Scott Andrews

Cristina Arreola stops to look at some of Michael Jackson’s most iconic wardrobe pieces, including the white suit he wore on the cover of the “Thriller” album, in a quickly erected display at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Friday. Jackson died Thursday.

BOSTON - Deb Elliott is saddened by Michael Jackson's sudden death, but she's also a little wealthier because of it.

The response was underwhelming earlier this month when the Volant, Pa., resident tried to auction a pair of 1980s Jackson dolls for a starting price of $9.95 apiece on eBay Inc. She turned to the e-commerce site after six months of Craigslist postings drew little interest.

"I would have been happy if they sold for $20," said Elliott, a 55-year-old homemaker.

But within minutes of Jackson's death Thursday, eBay bids started coming in. A doll depicting Jackson at the American Music Awards fetched $265 after 21 bids. A Grammy Awards Jackson doll got 36 bids and sold for $227.50 on Friday.

"This was definitely a cause for mixed emotions," Elliott said. "I finally got rid of the dolls, but now Michael is gone, too."

The singer's death triggered a surge in the Jackson collectibles market Friday. On Friday afternoon, an Internet search for Jackson items turned up more than 24,000 offerings from auctions on several sites and fixed-price "buy-it-now" sales.

In addition to surging volume, eBay reported the average selling price for Jackson items jumped 31 percent on Thursday from daily averages last week. Among the items up for sale was a signed fedora hat, offered at $9,795.

"People are telling me I should've held out, maybe they'd be worth even more in a week, month or year from now," said Elliott, who added that she is "not one that was taking advantage of Jackson's untimely death."

Another question for collectibles marketers is whether the damage Jackson's reputation suffered from his eccentricities and late-career pedophilia allegations will erode the value of memorabilia once the shock of his death passes. Or, like Elvis, who had his share of late-life troubles, will the collectibles hold value because the power of the legend prevails?

"Does the controversy get downplayed, and does his career get played up, or do people continue to hold the strangeness and rumor against him?" asked Jim Lentz, chief operating officer for American Royal Arts, a memorabilia dealer that holds publishing rights with a firm overseeing commercial use of Elvis Presley-related items.

The singer struggled financially following his 2003 arrest on charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy. A jury acquitted him of all charges.

Jackson's problems and death might help the marketing of some, but not all of his memorabilia.

"Notoriety might be great for say, the autograph market," said Martin Brochstein, senior vice president at the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association. "He's not signing any more, to put it bluntly.

"But in terms of licensed merchandise bearing his likeness, the notoriety is not necessarily such a good thing."

The rich Jackson collectibles market is the legacy of his huge popularity in the 1970s and '80s, when all sorts of mass merchandise emerged, from Jackson dolls to posters to commemorative coins. That period also produced a trove of signed valuables, from autographed album covers to the signature white sequined gloves he wore on stage.

Elliott, the Pennsylvania woman who sold the Jackson dolls on eBay, says she has other collectibles, but they have more personal than market value. Although she made money from selling the dolls, she won't part with other items.

"My kids grew up with him - they're the reason I went to two concerts," she said. "I still have several CDs, 45s and VHS tapes. I even have my son's little 'Beat It' jacket, too - and no, I won't be trying to sell it."

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