A single sparkly sock once worn by late pop legend Michael Jackson during a 1990s concert in France fetched more than $8,000 at auction on Wednesday, according to a French auctioneer.
The sock, discovered near Jackson’s dressing room by a technician after his performance in the southern French city of Nimes in July 1997, was part of the star’s iconic wardrobe during his “HIStory World Tour,” Aurore Illy told AFP.
Jackson, famously dubbed the “King of Pop,” sported white athletic socks embellished with rhinestones, a detail visible in video footage of him performing the classic track “Billie Jean,” according to the specialist site interencheres.com.
Now discolored and stained with age, the once-sparkling sock still holds immense value for collectors and admirers.
“It really is an exceptional object, even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” said Illy.
Originally estimated to be worth between 3,000 and 4,000 euros ($3,400–4,500), the sock went under the hammer for 7,688 euros ($8,822) at the Nimes auction house.
Jackson memorabilia continues to command high prices. A glittery glove worn during his groundbreaking 1983 “moonwalk” debut was purchased for $350,000 by a Macau casino in 2009, while a hat he donned moments before that performance fetched over $80,000 in Paris last year.
Despite his death in 2009 at the age of 50 from a drug overdose and the controversy surrounding abuse allegations he and his estate have consistently denied, Jackson’s global fan base remains fiercely loyal.