In New York City, an online auction is offering memorabilia from the career of the late rock star Michael Jackson. Among the items are his original handwritten lyrics to "We Are The World" and costumes from the "Victory Tour".

 

The auction, which will run from Monday until March the 10th, also includes the late King of Pop's blue beaded shirt and white rhinestone pants, along with an early example of the King of Pop's 80s western-esque style.

The auction coordinator, Peter Siegel, from the Manhattan store "Gotta Have It!", said Jackson's death last June of an overdose of prescription medicine had created a sudden surge in the memorabilia.

A white hotel napkin from London, signed and inscribed, is also open for bidding beginning at eight thousand US Dollars. Jackson threw the napkin from his hotel balcony to fans below when he was staying at the Dorchester Hotel in May 2000.

Peter Siegel, auction coordinator, said, "Here we have a napkin that was in Michael Jackson's room when he was at the Dorchester Hotel. He was there and many thousands of fans were outside waiting for him, screaming his name. It was evening, I guess he was a little tired, he took a magic marker and he wrote, 'I love this city very much, all my love to you, I am going to sleep now, I love you, Michael Jackson.' He threw this out the window and one lucky fan caught it and here it is years later, for sale."

Also on the block are other rock 'n roll and pop culture items, including Britney Spears' costume from her "Circus" tour and a collection of U2 artifacts, supplied by former stylist Lola Cashman. One of these is a rosary given to frontman Bono as a gift.