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Prince

Prince headlining Julien’s Music Icons auctions May 18-19

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Prince
Sequined ensemble worn on stage by Prince, Jose Arellanes labels, accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by Prince’s former wife Mayte Garcia. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000. Julien’s Auctions image

LOS ANGELES – Coming off another record-breaking season that witnessed the achievement of a world record for a guitar played by Prince sold at auction ($700,000), Julien’s Auctions has announced: “Property from the Life and Career of Prince.” Julien’s will pay tribute to the pop music legend in this exclusive presentation of the seven-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter’s collection of wardrobe, guitars and memorabilia as part of their two-day Music Icons auction taking place May 18 with Prince and historical items by other music legends on May 19. The auctions will be conducted live in New York. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Prince signed his first record deal with Warner Bros. Records at age 18 with a stipulation to self-produce his own recordings, demonstrating an unwavering adherence to artist control that he pioneered and would carry with him throughout his 40-year career.

Throughout his career, Prince consistently proved to be a prolific artist, provocateur and visionary pushing the boundaries of sexuality, gender, genre and race while retaining creative control on his own terms and evolving musically and artistically in every recording and on tour. His live concerts and performances were legendary and displayed his showmanship as a singer, dancer and musician.

Prince
Prince’s Schecter ‘White Cloud’ electric guitar gifted to a Paisley Park employee in 2004. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000. Julien’s Auctions image

“Prince walks among the rock ’n’ roll legends who changed the world and the musical landscape with his incredible artistry and brilliance,” said Darren Julien, president CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “Each piece in this dazzling collection celebrates the man, the music and the moments of an extraordinary and passionate artist whose distinct style and sound set him apart from all other music icons and made him a cultural phenomenon that we will most likely never see the likes of again.”

Prince
Pair of custom-made booties worn by Prince in the 1990s for concerts and personal appearances. No maker or size labels. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by Prince’s former wife Mayte Garcia. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000. Julien’s Auctions image

Highlights of this auction include a Schecter “White Cloud” electric guitar commissioned by Prince in 2002 and styled as the same guitar first made known in the film Purple Rain (Warner Bros., 1984) designed by Dave Rusan (estimate: $10,000-$20,000); more than a dozen ensembles worn by Prince including a custom electric blue ensemble worn on stage in a 1999 performance pay per view concert at Paisley Park with Lenny Kravitz (estimate: $40,000-$50,000); four pairs of custom-made shoes and booties with love symbol zipper pulls; as well as clothing designed by Versace and Prada, record awards, posters, tour schedules, jewelry, backstage passes, set lists and more.

The 157-lot auction will be conducted Friday, May 18, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The exclusive Prince event will be followed by Julien’s Music Icons auction on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern.

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