A jeweled glove is up for sale (+ an interesting story about it)

The bejeweled glove that Michael wore in 1983 when he introduced the Moonwalk to the world at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Motown company (Motown 25) is being put up for auction.

This glove is completely different from other Michael gloves. It is a one-size golf glove made of light-colored cream leather, with a tab at the end that allows the wearer to adjust the glove’s wrist to fit their hand size. Inside the glove, there is a label that says “Made In Korea.” Instead of the shiny hand-stitched sequins that are a unique feature of other Michael gloves, it is decorated with a large number of carved artificial stones. No stones are sewn on the palm of the glove. The most important difference between this glove and other Michael gloves is that it is sewn for the left hand, and besides that, because of its connection to the first-ever Moonwalk performance in the world, it is more special and stands out. This glove, which Donn Julien from Julien’s Auctions considers a “holy grail” among Michael memorabilia, will be auctioned on November 21 at Julien’s Music Icons auction in New York City, alongside an unreleased track by Jimi Hendrix and an old recording tape from Madonna in the Hard Rock Cafe. In addition to this historic glove, Julien’s Auctions is auctioning other Michael memorabilia, including: The jacket Michael wore on the Bad tour. The black hat he wore during the 1995 MTV ceremony performance, along with an attached letter from Lisa Marie Presley A white blazer and wristband during a performance at the Apollo Theater in 2002 The Dangerous outfit during a performance at the Apollo Theater in 2002 2 outfits from the “Thriller” music video’s resurrected dead The RIAA platinum medal for the album Bad The original design sketch by Michael of Charlie Chaplin The original design sketch by Michael of a child The original design sketch by Michael of Mickey Mouse in Bad clothing

But among these items, the bejeweled glove may be the most exciting—especially because there is an interesting story behind it: Walter Clyde Arrington, a former member of the Commodores group (Lionel Richie was also a member of that group), has owned this glove since 1983—the day Michael gave it to him as a keepsake instead of an autograph. The 62-year-old Arrington says that when the Commodores toured with the Jackson Five in the summer of 1971, he met Michael. They kept the audience entertained so the Jackson Five could be ready to take the stage. Arrington always asked the young showman for an autograph, but Michael refused his request, saying that Arrington was more famous than him. This autograph request became a running joke between them. They saw each other again in March 1983 at the Motown 25 celebration. Michael sang on stage with his brothers, and then returned solo to perform Billie Jean and “turn the world” with his Moonwalk. After that, Arrington went backstage and asked again for an autograph. But instead of signing, Michael gave him his bejeweled glove. Arrington wrote in the letter attached to the glove: "I have known Michael Jackson and his family since the first time we toured in the summer of 1971 with the Jackson Five as their opening acts. We played forty concerts in the United States. At that time and in the years that followed, whenever Michael and I saw each other, we joked about autographs. In his utmost humility, he would refuse to give me an autograph and would say I was more famous than him. He never gave me an autograph. Years later, in 1983, both of us performed at the Motown 25 celebration. Seeing Michael perform again with his brothers was wonderful, just like the old days. But he stole the show with his solo performance of Billie Jean—and that is the famous night when he first performed the Moonwalk, changing the face of music and dance and launching himself into the world of superstars. After the performance, Michael came and stood behind me. He put his hands over my eyes and said, ‘Guess who it is?’ I knew who it was because one of the hands he placed over my eyes had the glove, and the other did not. When I asked him for an autograph again, instead of signing, he gave me the glove he was wearing that night—and again refused to give me an autograph! He always played tricks on everyone. Even when he was a little boy. That’s why I asked him if he wanted to give me the glove separately, and he assured me that was exactly what he intended. At that time, the glove had not yet become a symbol. After that, whenever I saw him, I would joke with him that I was willing to give him the glove back in exchange for an autograph. But he always refused and told me to keep the glove, and in return he would jokingly ask me to sign for him. I have taken very good care of this historic glove ever since that night, and Michael and his family will always have a special place in my heart." After Michael’s death, Arrington realized that the glove Michael gifted him is now more valuable than he can keep. "There are a hundred other gloves. But this one is different. He blew up the show with it. The world has to see this glove. This is the first glove. (Billie Jean) The song that threw him into the world of superstars." Arrington hopes this glove will find a permanent home in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum—or somewhere similar—so that “the world can see it. This (glove) is worth a world to me.” The proceeds from the sale of this glove will be donated to MusiCares, an organization that supports musicians. For more information and to view photos of Michael’s memorabilia, visit Julien’s Auctions website. Source: eMJey / Julien's Auctions / AP