Jackson fans pay tribute at auction firm’s replica home

Michael Jackson fans took an early look at items from the singer’s home to be sold at auction on Saturday – and left behind their tributes.

This means a lot, because we don’t have a place to go to leave things for the family.

Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, which is selling the contents of the house, opened its doors to Jackson fans, who brought flowers, gifts and handwritten notes for his children.

The company has recreated the 50-year-old singer’s home at 100 North Carolwood Drive inside its exhibit space.

The headboard of the bed where Jackson died in 2009 was removed from the auction at his family’s request, so fans filled that part of his reconstructed bedroom with their tributes.

Karen Jackson, 57, and Kiki Stafford, 47, were moved to tears as they walked among the items that surrounded Michael Jackson in his final days.

They included a Victorian baby grand piano, a wooden armoire where the singer had written a note to himself on the mirror and the kitchen chalkboard where his children had inscribed the message, “I love daddy”.

Ms Jackson stayed up all night working on her creation, a charm-covered chain anchored by a metal “M” that included tiny photos of Jackson’s children Prince, Paris and Blanket.

“I’ve been working on this for a year,” she said. “I hadn’t finished it because I didn’t know how to get it to them.”

Christine Tucker, speaking on behalf of the Official Michael Jackson Fans of Southern California, said: “This means a lot, because we don’t have a place to go to leave things for the family.”

About 25 members of the fan club spent the weekend making and delivering glitter-covered cards and hand-made Christmas ornaments for the tribute.

“He inspires us to create. We make these beautiful things and we want his kids and his mom to see it,” Ms Tucker added.

Darren Julien, president of Julien’s Auctions, said he sought permission from the Jackson estate to include fans in the auction exhibit, and family matriarch Katherine Jackson requested that he deliver any hand-made items from fans to her.

“They put their hearts into it because they want the kids and Mrs Jackson to see how much love they have for Michael,” Mr Julien said.

“Michael Jackson has played such an important part in our careers and lives, and this is a fun way to give back. This is Michael’s VIP reception.”

Julien’s Auctions sold the contents of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in April 2009.

The company also sold Jackson’s Thriller jacket for $1.8 million over the summer and his signature-spangled glove for $350,000 in 2009.