Michael Jackson's art collection heads under the hammer

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" sale offers fans and art enthusiasts a collection of 80 lots, including artworks that once adorned Neverland, the late singer's vast Californian ranch and private theme park.

Items in the sale include a bronze statue of Peter Pan and a wooden model of Captain Hook's ship, both estimated to fetch US$30,000 to $40,000. The latter was gifted to Michael Jackson by the actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Art enthusiasts will also be able to bid for a rare bronze cast of "Gloria Victis" by the French sculptor and painter, Antonin Mercié, estimated to fetch US$75,000 to $85,000. Other casts of the 1874 statue are currently in collections held by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" auction also includes collector's items and memorabilia from the King of Pop's vast musical career, such as the first contract between the Jackson 5 band and the Steeltown Records label. This historic document, signed by Joe Jackson, is expected to fetch US$50,000 to $100,000. Similarly, an acetate disc of the Jackson 5's first singles could sell for US$10,000 to $20,000.

According to Artnet News, certain lots in the auction were consigned by Richard LaPointe, who acquired them following a lengthy legal battle with Julien's Auctions and the Jackson estate. The collector, based in Quebec, Canada, had bid on various objects belonging to Michael Jackson that Julien's Auctions planned to sell between April 22 and 25, 2009.

This major sale which could have fetched between $15 and 20 million at Julien's Auctions was ultimately cancelled at the last minute on the request of Michael Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions.