Michael Jackson

What to own a piece of Michael Jackson or his famous siblings.  Well now you can!  That is if you have the money.  Over 1,100 items will be auctioned this week at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. This is the largest auction of Jackson memorabilia with items including: a Bill Whitten-designed militaristic red coat with gold rope that belonged to Michael Jackson, a 1987 contract detailing his $30 million purchase of "Neverland" ranch and

a frilly pink "Mae West" dress worn by Janet Jackson at age 8 during family performances at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1974.

According to Arlan Ettinger, president of auction house Guernsey's, "This really is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence......I cannot imagine that somewhere down the road some other collection could come out of the woodwork and rival this. It's not going to happen."     

The auction is expected to rake in millions and is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.  The auction is a follow-up to a court battle that ended two weeks ago when Michael Jackson's lawyers reached a confidential settlement and dropped an effort to block the auction.  Michael was invited to the action, but it's unclear if he will attend.  Ten percent of the money raised will be donated by Universal Express to such charities as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Ronald McDonald House. Michael Jackson - Beat It