July 5, 2009
Inside Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch
Inside Michael Jackson's Neverland RanchThis 1911 Grosset and Dunlap edition of "Peter Pan: The Story of Peter and Wendy," by J.M.Barrie, with embossed cover and scenes from the photoplay featuring Betty Bronson is valued at $50 - $100.
Julien's Auction House and Michael Jackson have halted sale of contents of Neverland Ranch
Julien's Auction House and Michael Jackson have halted sale of contents of Neverland RanchJulien's Auction House and Michael Jackson have halted sale of contents of Neverland Ranch
Wednesday, April 15th 2009, 8:04 AM
A collection of Michael Jackson's possessions from Neverland Ranch is safe from the auctioneer's gavel now that the pop singer and Julien's Auction House have reached a settlement to their dispute over whether 2,000 items were ever intended for sale.
Specific terms were not disclosed Tuesday. But, in short, Jackson keeps his things, while Julien's keeps its exhibition, which was open to the public and originally meant to promote next week's sale.
"There was so much interest from so many of Jackson's fans that instead of putting the items in the hands of private collectors, Dr. Tohme and Julien's Auction House have made arrangements that will allow the collection to be shared with and enjoyed by Jackson's fans for many years to come," read a joint statement from Jackson spokesman Dr. Tohme R. Tohme and auction organizer Darren Julien.
Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions, sued Julien in early March, seeking to halt the sale by arguing that Jackson hadn't authorized it. A judge blocked one effort by MJJ Productions to cancel it earlier this month, and another was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday for an injunction.
"I believe both sides are pleased with the resolution," Julien said Tuesday by telephone.
Julien has said he spent $2 million organizing the sale, which another auctioneer estimated could have fetched $12 million after its April 22 start. The exhibition in Beverly Hills costs $20 to attend, and auction catalogues — a $50 single volume and $200, five-volume boxed set — were still selling, Julien said.
The statement also said MJJ Productions and Julien's Auction House would be making a "substantial" donation to MusiCares to benefit artists in need.
Julien said all of Jackson's possessions, which the auction house took directly from the Neverland Ranch property, would be returned to the pop singer. He would not say where they would be taken.
"It's been our hopes to resolve this in the beginning, when the lawsuit was filed," Julien said. "It was in our best interest to resolve it. We continue to have great respect for Michael Jackson. ... I guess you could call it the greatest auction that never happened."
The singer has struggled financially following his arrest in 2003 on charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy. A jury acquitted him of all charges.
Last year he faced foreclosure on Neverland, the 2,500-acre (1,012-hectare) property nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country, 120 miles (193 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. He was bailed out by Colony Capital, and months later transferred the deed to Neverland to another entity he partially controls.
Jackson plans a series of concerts in London in July that he has said will be his last in the British capital.
Julien has been entrusted to preside over numerous auctions of famous memorabilia. Some recent celebrity sales have included items once belonging to Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Hope and rare behind-the-scenes footage of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable on the set of the film "The Misfits."
Michael Jackson's death puts 'concierge doctors' in the spotlight
Michael Jackson's death puts 'concierge doctors' in the spotlight
Michael Jackson's death puts 'concierge doctors' in the spotlight
Sunday, July 5th 2009, 4:27 AM
Dr. Cheryl BryantBruce, M.D., Founder of Elite Personal Physician Services, Inc.
Cheryl BryantBruce, a Los Angeles doctor, flies all over the world to treat her affluent clients and check their wardrobes and homes for health hazards.
Doctors from "MD2" rush to a patient's private jet to give last-minute vaccinations before an exotic vacation.
They are called "concierge doctors," and they carry a small roster of patients and cater to the wealthy or famous.
This elite medical care is in the spotlight since Michael Jackson's cardiologist has made global headlines.
Concierge medicine has been a trend among the well-to-do, but is also making inroads with the less-affluent.
Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, takes the concierge concept to the higher realm of "doctor to the stars."
BryantBruce, who has no more than 20 patient families at a time in her Elite Personal Physician Services, commands as much as $150,000 a year per patient family package.
"It's an ideal fit for celebrities, athletes and business executives," she said, noting the high cost they are willing to pay lets her work free for the needy.
For those willing to pay $15,000 a year per person, and $25,000 per family, there is MD2, (pronounced MD Squared), which calls itself the pioneer of concierge medicine.
"We take care of the carriage trade," said Diane Guerts, marketing director of MD2.
They aren't in New York yet, but in San Francisco and several cities in the northwest, its doctors have luxurious offices and see no more than 50 patients.
MD2 counts Fortune 500 members, worth from $1 million to $10 million, among its patients.
"The care is no-holds-barred," Guerts said. Doctors go to a home, office or private jet.
The company was founded in 1996 in Seattle by Dr. Howard Maron, who treated Seattle Sonics basketball players.
"We value the privacy and discretion of our patients," said Guerts, who would not reveal any names.
MDVIP is making personalized care more available to a wider spectrum of patients.
Darin Engelhardt, founder and chief financial officer for MDVIP, said 100,000 patients in 27 states pay an extra $1,500 a year for individualized care.
"It's solidly within reach of the middle class," he said, bristling that Murray has been referred to as a "concierge" doctor.
A promoter of Jackson's comeback London concerts said Jackson told him he needed Murray because "I need personal care and I want a doctor 24-7, like President Obama."
BryantBruce said she would be able to dedicate herself to just one client like Jackson "if he bought substantial packages."
Doctors like Murray have been a Hollywood staple for decades.
Elvis Presley never traveled without his Dr. George (Dr. Nick) Nichopoulos.
Elvis called Nichopoulos the day he died, complaining of dental pain. Dr. Nick wrote a prescription for Dilaudid, a powerful painkiller.
Nichopoulos was later indicted on charges of overprescribing addictive drugs to Presley, singer Jerry Lee Lewis and seven others. He was acquitted.
Nearly 47 years before the 911 call from Jackon's mansion, Marilyn Monroe's personal doctor called the Los Angeles Police Department from her Brentwood mansion.
"I'm Dr. Hyman Engelberg, Marilyn Monroe's physician. I'm at her residence. She's committed suicide," he told cops after she died of a prescription drug overdose.
MICHAEL JACKSON - PEDOPHILE PAINTING - BANKSY - 'HANSEL AND GRETEL' - ON DISPLAY
LONDON
Banksy, the anarchic graffiti artist, has poked fun at Michael Jackson, the pop star who faced child abuse charges, by featuring him in a drawing inspired by Hansel and Gretel.
Jackson is seen trying to coax a little girl and a boy with a sweet in one of four works displayed in Santas Ghetto, an amusement arcade that opens in Central London today.
The 3,000sq ft space showcases the best in graffiti, art and sculpture from around the world. There is also a chance to win works of art by playing fairground attractions.
I felt the spirit of Christmas was being lost, Banksy said. It was becoming increasingly uncommercialised and more and more.
Banksy, from Bristol, has made his name with subversive street art and has courted controversy with a series of daring art projects.
The value of his work is soaring. In October one of Banksys images sold at auction for £62,400 and Angelina Jolie has reportedly spent £200,000 on his work.
MICHAEL JACKSON PEDOPHILE PAINTING BANKSY HANSEL AND GRETEL DISPLAY BASHIR conrad murray neverland bristol uk england graffiti artist
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