Michael Jackson in-person autograph
This is the autograph Michael Jackson is seen signing in the accompanying photo; I still have it. He signed the piece of paper on the open palm of his hand and the mark to the left of the signature is where the pen's pressure initially poked the tip through the paper when he first started signing it. He had to start again with lighter pressure.
My friend Donald Liggett, who is seen in the next photo as Michael hands him the freshly-signed autograph, first asked Michael to sign a $20 bill because, while we had a pen, we didn't have any paper. Michael said he couldn't sign money because it was illegal to deface currency, so Don dashed inside the hotel and got a piece of blank hotel stationery. He tore the piece of paper in half when the young girl from England (who is also seen in some other photos with her family) said she wanted an autograph, too. This autograph was signed on the other side of the top half of that piece of hotel stationery. If you turn it over it has "The Kahala Hilton" (the hotels name) and address at the top.
Don handed me the autograph after he got it from Michael, as a gift. Don passed away in 2008 of cancer.
NOTE: Beware of people on ebay "selling" this autograph. They don't have it, and it is not for sale. Also beware of people forging copies of this signature on to Michael Jackson photographs and other items. Autograph fraud is rampant.
NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks.
Comments and faves
pijus, siyanda.ngcobo, cesargaray2000, Plagued's Shadows, and 32 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Annamarie83 (35 months ago | reply)
Nice signature, looks like its owner: original and creative. RIP Michael, we miss you, a lot.
sookietex (35 months ago | reply)
Wow, quite the souvenir Alan. Truly a treasure, as was Michael. Thank you for sharing it and it's history. if i may impose upon you further, i was wondering if he signed with his left or right hand. i see that he is holding the pen in his right hand, and the paper in his left but i was hoping you could give a definite confirmation. Thanks again Alan, and to MJ, may the gods speed and may your soul be at peace.
Alan Light (35 months ago | reply)
I'm sorry to say I didn't notice which hand he used to sign the autograph. It's either something that did not occur to me to notice at the time, or something I don't remember after all these years.
lilylillylillie (32 months ago | reply)
This is before he started signing his name with the year 1998 on it. I wonder when that started! Thanks for sharing, I love your attention to details in the description!
Savvy3 (30 months ago | reply)
I'm sorry your friend Don passed away. May he and Michael both rest in sweet heavenly peace. I'm so glad you got to meet Michael. That's a nice memory you will always keep. Thank you for sharing your photos with us Alan.