Michael Jackson Auction Cancelled

A five-catalog auction of items owned by "The King of Pop" has been cancelled. Items that were to be offered in the sale included gorgeous antiques, works of art, and decorative accessories from Michael Jackson's Neverland mansion and estate.

According to About.com's Pools and Patios Guide Lisa Hallett Taylor, who was present on the first day of the auction preview, "Apparently, the singer had a 'change of heart' about parting with his vast and eclectic collection. Jackson, his reps and Julien's Auctions halted the sale and came to an amicable agreement to return the artifacts to Jackson after the exhibit."

With the cancellation of the auction being official, the sale has transformed into an extended exhibition:

Exhibit conducted by: Julien's Auctions

Where: Adjacent to The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California

When: April 14-25, 2009

Auction: Cancelled

In addition to antiques and decorative arts, the Jackson exhibit features amusements, arcade games, Disneyana, garden statuary, and outdoor furniture. View the complete catalogs online courtesy of Julien's Auctions.

Read Lisa Hallett Taylor's interview with Darren Julien of Julien's Auctions for more background on what it took to put together a production of this magnitude.