Michael Jackson glove shrine plan

Reuters

GLOVE PUPPET: A casino in the Chinese gambling haven of Macau will open Asia's first Michael Jackson shrine.

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A casino in the Chinese gambling haven of Macau will open Asia's first Michael Jackson shrine after its owners bought the late King of Pop's iconic white rhinestone glove for $350,000 at a US auction.

The shrine will be located in the lobby of the casino-resort Ponte 16, adding to Macau's attractions which already include the world's largest casino, The Venetian.

"MJ's distinctive musical sound, vocal style and choreography inspired numerous pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop artists," said Hoffman Ma of Success Universe Group, who has teamed up with Macau gaming tycoon Stanley Ho in the Ponte 16 venture.

"We aim to create a rendezvous to reminisce this great performer of the 20th century," he added in a statement.

During Saturday's auction of Jackson memorabilia in New York, Ma's firm paid $350,000 for the glove, almost eight times the pre-sale estimate amid stiff bidding.

Ponte 16 also snared nine other items that were owned by Jackson, which will also be housed in the "MJ Gallery," including a signed drawing of Charlie Chaplin, a pair of acrylic tube socks, Jackson's "zombie" shirt which he wore in the video of Thriller and a platinum record awarded for the album Bad.

"These precious items can revitalize MJ's legendary career to all his fans, providing them another place to house MJ memorabilia besides the Neverland Ranch in California," the resort said in a statement, without giving an opening date.

The white glove, which auctioneers Julien's Auctions, called "the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson," was worn by the performer when he first staged the famous moonwalk dance at the 1983 Motown 25 television special.

Made of cream leather and studded with hand-sewn rhinestones, the left-handed glove is considered an iconic accessory by Jackson fans.

- Reuters