Whitney Houston – Pair of Game-Worn Nike Air Jordan Sneakers Gifted by Michael Jordan. Image: Heritage Auctions

AUCTION:  Hand-picked mementos from Whitney Houston’s life and career sold for half a million dollars at auction in Los Angeles.

BY KAZAD

Whitney Houston Stage-Worn Dolce & Gabbana Multi-Colored Fur Coat, 1999. Image: Heritage Auctions

BEVERLY HILLS – A pair of Nike Air Jordan Sneakers that belonged to Whitney Houston has sold for $20,000 at auction. The sneakers which were gifted to Whitney Houston by close friend Michael Jordan, circa 1990, were part of Heritage Auctions  Entertainment & Music Signature Auction.  The auction featured a section dedicated to The Whitney Houston Collection. More than 100 pieces of memorabilia – including awards, stage-worn costumes, passports, and gold records were part of the public auction in Beverly Hills.

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One of the major highlights and top sellers of the sale was Houston’s stage-worn Dolce & Gabbana multi-colored fur coat which sold for $16,250. But the coat was just one of the hand-picked mementos from Ms. Houston’s life and career that made a great impact at the auction. Other stage-worn dresses and costumes seen in her videos also proved very popular at the auction.  A stunning hand-painted and State-Word Dolce & Gabbana Gown from 1999 sold for $13,750, both against a $3,000 estimate, respectively. A signed Naval cap is worn during a 1991 HBO Special Welcome Home Heroes also did very well. It closed at $3,750.

Whitney Houston Wedding Gown

A 1992 one-of-a-kind Marc Bouwer-designed wedding gown sparked bidding wars among collectors when it came up for sale. Collectors who were determined to own a part of this celebrity and famous musician kept the bidding going. In the end, Houston’s personally-owned mementos sold for $15,000. The songstress unique fold-out passport, signed, used during nine years of international tours in 1985, sold for $11,250. A beautiful pair of gold-tone group earrings the famous musician wore in her My Name is Not Susan video sold for $4,750, against a $1,000 estimate.

Not all the items advertised for the Houston auction made it to the floor.  Houston’s 1986 Emmy for her breath-taking performance of Saving All My Love for You at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards was withdrawn from the auction. A day before the auction was to open,  a court-ordered injunction by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences forced Heritage Auctions to remove the important object from the auction list. “As ordered, the award was withdrawn from the auction and returned to the Houston family,” Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions said.

At the end of  auction, the Houston Collection realized a combined $525,390. The auction brought 78.5% above estimate and was 99% sold by value, with only 2 lots remaining available.

For Greg Rohan, the success of the Houston Collection “proves generations of fans are still in love with Whitney Houston’s legacy and contribution to music.” He notes: “We take great pride in presenting this collection and the results are extremely satisfying, despite the fact we were barred from selling her Emmy.”

The 30-year collection offered at public auction in Beverly Hills attracted bidders from around the world. Throughout the sale, collectors sought a bevy of awards celebrating Houston’s epic career and unique voice. Here are some of the items and auction prices realized.

Whitney Houston Collection Auction

Whitney Houston signed United States Marine cap worn During- the HBO- Special Welcome Home Heroes, 1991. Image: Heritage Auctions

Whitney Houston Billboard Award for I Will Always Love You, 1993: Realized: $17,500.

Whitney Houston MTV Europe Music Award, 1999: Realized: $17,500.

Whitney Houston – MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video How Will I Know, 1986: Realized: $16,250.

Whitney Houston American Music Award in the category of Favorite Album, Soul/Rhythm & Blues for The Bodyguard, 1994: Realized: $15,000.

Whitney Houston American Music Award in the category of  Favorite Video Single, Soul/R&B for the Song Saving All My Love for You, 1986: Realized: $12,500.

Whitney’s People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Musical Performer, 1988: Realized: $5,500.

Whitney Houston’s People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Musical Performer, 1989: Realized: $4,625.

Whitney’s Billboard Award for “#1 R&B Album” for The Bodyguard, 1993: Realized: $10,000.

Whitney Houston & David Foster NARAS Recognition Certificate for I Will Always Love You, 1993: Realized: $2,250.

Whitney Houston RIAA Hologram Gold Sales Award for I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),1987: Realized: $2,500.

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