Motown 25 Sequin Glove From Historic "Billie Jean" Performance (1983)

Description:

The sequin glove that Michael wore during his legendary 1983 performance on "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever."  Apparently made in a hurried fashion, (not unlike the spontaneity and last minute creation of the performance itself) it is made using a cream leather golfing glove with an interior label reading "Made In Korea." The Glove has an adjustable Velcro flap on the back of the hand with a single white snap at the back of the wrist.

Other gloves from this era (as made by costumer Bill Whitten) were covered with individually hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, a meticulous and time-consuming process.  However, this glove uses a mesh "web" of faceted rhinestones, hand cut to the glove’s shape. These rhinestone strips have been whip stitched to the back of the glove.  Rhinestones are completely absent on the palm of the glove (presumably on purpose in this instance, to allow Michael to alternately hold the microphone in his gloved hand).

Following his performance that evening, Michael gifted The Glove to long time friend Walter "Clyde" Orange, one of the founding members of the Commodores.  Orange knew Michael Jackson and his family since the Summer of 1971 when the Commodores toured with the Jackson 5 as their opening act.  In November of 2009, Orange commissioned The Glove to Julien’s Auctions, and it sold (lot #324) for a then record $420,000 at Julien’s 2009 Music Icons auction.  The Glove is now on display at the MJ Gallery At Ponte 16 in Macau. 

All screen captures are the property of their respective owners.  Additional photos from "Motown 25" provided courtesy of www.MJPhotosCollectors.com.  Read more about this HIStoric glove in our Featured Collectibles section.

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