Bidding opens on music memorabilia including Michael Jackson jacket and Beatles menu
Bidding is open until early October on music memorabilia including a Michael Jackson jacket, Beatles signed menu and John Lennon glasses.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
An auction of music memorabilia has gone live, offering collectors a chance to own pieces worn or handled by some of the biggest names in pop history. Among the lots are a military-style jacket worn by Michael Jackson, a pair of glasses that belonged to John Lennon, and a menu signed by all four Beatles on their first flight to the United States.
The Michael Jackson jacket is described as an everyday piece, not used for stage or video performances. According to Mark Hochman from the prop store, who appeared on television to discuss the collection, Jackson wore it for about three years while going about his daily life. The jacket features detailed 18 karat gold braid on the front and back. Bidding for this item starts at 180,000 pounds, and Hochman said he expects a number of bidders at that price.
John Lennon's glasses have their own story. Lennon bought them around 1973 and wore them almost daily until March 1974, when he went to the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles with Harry Nilsson. After a scuffle in the club, he lost the glasses. They were picked up by the wife of the group that was playing, which is how they eventually came to auction.
The Beatles signed menu comes from the band's first plane ride to the US. All four members signed it, dedicating it to Julie, who was the flight attendant. Hochman called it one of the best sets of Beatles signatures he had seen on a piece.
Other items in the sale include hand-written lyrics for Oasis's "Wonderwall" by Noel Gallagher, signed by him. These are more affordable, with bidding starting at 4,000 pounds. There is also a guitar signed by Noel Gallagher and a Michael Jackson glove. Hochman said the buyers are a mix of super fans with deep pockets and investors. Some might wear the jacket if it fits, while others would display the menu on a wall.
The auction went live on the day of the broadcast, with bidding open until the 1st and 2nd of October. Hochman's personal favourite item, he said, was George Michael's glasses, because he grew up in the 1980s.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 |
|---|---|
| John Lennon bought the glasses around 1973 and lost them at the Troubadour Club in March 1974. | |
| Michael Jackson's jacket was his everyday jacket for about a three-year period. | |
| The Beatles signed menu is from their first plane ride to the US. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel presented the auction as a light-hearted, nostalgic feature, focusing on the personal stories behind each item. The host showed visible excitement and asked practical questions about who buys such pieces and whether they are used or displayed. The segment also included a playful moment where the host tried to pick an item for the newsroom, giving the coverage a conversational and accessible tone.
- “I don't think it needs any introduction, but this is Michael Jackson's jacket”
- “The bidding for this starts at 180,000 and I do expect there to be quite a few bidders at that price”
- “It's a mixture, some are super fans with very deep pockets”
Broadcast Timeline
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