Who and why bought a used car produced in 1979, giving him $ 317,500? What's the point of buying a leather jacket for $ 177,000? And finally, why buy a molar tooth with traces of caries for $ 31,000?
The answer to these questions lies in the fact that all of the items listed below were once bathed in the starlight of Bert Reynolds, George Harrison and John Lennon.
Selling celebrity personal items is a big business. Recently, a set list of the cult group "Nirvana" was sold, written on a greasy paper plate for $ 22,000, a Madonna dress for $ 53,125, and singer Prince’s guitar for $ 89,600.
What drives people who are willing to give such astronomical amounts of money only to personally own the memorabilia of popular stars? “You may never be able to get to know celebrities, but acquiring their things makes you closer to them,” says Darren Julien, president of the Julien auction, who once sold Reynolds’s car, and will offer Olivia Newton-John’s black leather shoes this fall at a price of $ 200,000. “These guys have money, and they buy vivid memories of their past,” says the businessman, analyzing the reasons for the actions of their customers.
Here are five people who paid a huge price for being close to their idols.
Fonzy's motorcycle and leather jacket for fans of Happy Days
As a child who watched a lot of TV, Michael Eisenberg was in love with the comedy show Happy Days. He especially liked the scene with Fonzy's motorcycle. Today, Michael showed enviable persistence and managed to buy the same bike. In addition, the man also managed to redeem Fonzy's leather jacket from one of the show's former wardrobes. And after that an absolutely unbelievable event happened. “Then I received a letter from Henry Winkler himself, in which the actor asked me to take care of his motorcycle,” Eisenberg shares his emotions. Michael also adds that this bike is currently on display at the San Diego Auto Museum. Referring to his motorcycle, jacket and Winkler’s letter, Eisenberg says: “This is a triple jackpot.”
James Dean Blade
Michael Eisenberg is currently working as a real estate broker in Beverly Hills. He already has an impressive collection of about 200 celebrity memorabilia. These include Steve McQueen's sunglasses and the knife that James Dean used to shoot Rebel Without a Cause.
Eisenberg purchased this legendary blade for more than $ 20,000. “All these things remind me of my youth,” he said. “I'm not an actor, but my purchases provide me with a connection to this world.”
Closer to Jackie Gleason
60-year-old Stuart Berkowitz, a radiation oncologist from New Jersey, is in love with the image of comedian actor Jackie Gleason. A loyal fan started buying items belonging to his idol after his mother gave him eight dinner plates depicting scenes from the famous Honeymoon series. Soon he became a frenzied collector of items related to Gleason, the main creator and star of the popular show.
Talking about his motivation, Berkowitz says: "This is the most vivid show on television, and I want to keep its history." The doctor even bought a 1978 burgundy limousine that once belonged to Gleason for $ 20,000.His collection also includes Gleason golf clubs purchased for $ 5,000, and a bus driver’s uniform worn by actor Ralph Cramden.
Stuart has about 1,000 celebrity personal items in stock near his home. And the man himself is obsessed with the idea of creating a museum. Not all people, he admits, are so fascinated by this collection. “Some people consider me crazy, but if this is your passion, you must follow it,” he adds.
Marilyn Monroe Clothing
According to Scott Fortner, Marilyn Monroe, chief collector of memorabilia, who works as a healthcare manager, body fluids left on celebrity personal items increase their price. “I have a Marilyn dress with sweat stains on my armpits,” says a 50-year-old from the Bay area. “This personal touch of the star makes the dress more valuable to collectors.” Another move to add value to the Monroe collection is to combine several elements to create documented ensembles. The owner of the collection had a mink collar, bought in 2006 as part of a batch that was sold for $ 10,000, and he was looking for a jacket that would suit him. In 2016, he bought it at an auction for $ 10,000. Together, the outfit will now be sold at prices ranging from $ 50,000 to $ 60,000. The current owner of these valuable things is doing everything possible to keep their material intact. “I store everything in a special room at the right temperature,” Fortner said. “I'm happy I didn't touch anything.” Putting these things on even mannequins can lead to tension and wear on the fabric. ” He adds that access to the Monroe collection does not make sense. “I'm glad to know that I have it, even just looking at the photos.”
Kurt Cobain Sweater
Garrett Kletjyan, a 47-year-old owner of professional racing cars in Millville, New Jersey, intended to buy Kurt Cobain's sweater, which the legendary singer was wearing at the famous Nirvana concert in 1993, for a maximum of $ 75,000.
A huge Nirvana fan saw the price go up to $ 111,000 and make a purchase. “A part of me shouted:“ What have I just done? - he admits. “But the other part would have gone crazy if I hadn't become the owner of Kurt's sweater.” He tried on a mohair sweater for only 90 seconds before putting it into storage. “It was very powerful,” Garrett said, acknowledging that he felt too responsible for the well-being of the sweater to just hang it in the closet. However, the eccentric buyer promised to show an unusual sweater to his curious friends. “Those who try this will find that Cobain left behind a surprise: some strange substance is inside one of the pockets. It could be food or vomiting, ”the new owner of the sweater shared secret information.
John Lennon's Tooth
Michael Zuck, a dentist from Vancouver, is particularly interested in things related to his profession. Consequently, his collection includes a plaster cast of the mouth shape of Elvis Presley and a rotten tooth of John Lennon. For this item, which once belonged to the maid of Lennon, he paid $ 31,600. “Most people think it's a waste of money, but I now have John’s DNA. Some people believe that there are illegitimate children of Lennon. At some point, I can determine if this is so using the genetic information of his tooth and get my percentage from the inheritance owed to them, ”Michael explains the reasons for his expensive purchase. Zook could also buy Shaquille O'Neill’s tooth, but he said: “After I spent so much money on Lennon, my wife will kill me for the second such purchase.”