 
The international John Hancock auctioneers business Alexander Autographs Inc. of Stamford is offering in its August rock and entertainment auction a telling set of lyrics handwritten by Michael Jackson.
Bill Panagopulos, president of Alexander Autographs, said the lyrics were consigned months ago by a collector and dealer in the Midwest.
“This material wasn”™t selling for a lot beforehand,” said Panagopulos. “It”™s a stellar piece because it shows his thoughts just as he was developing a song that wouldn”™t be released for another 18 years as a song called ”˜Cheater.”™ We think that it was originally intended for the ”˜Bad”™ album but was too negative. Only two lines in these notes ever made it to the song.”
According Panagopulos, the lyrics indicate the late singer may have been in a suicidal frame of mind at the time of their composition. The hastily-scribbled lines are written in pencil on a white sheet and include several erasures and some underlining.
At the bottom of the page, Jackson drew a sketch of himself looking up at his own words.
In addition to the lyrics, Panagopulos said there are other items related to the recently deceased entertainer that will be included in the auction.
Alexander Autographs will also offer a signed two-page legal agreement in which Jackson releases to USA for Africa all of his rights and royalties to the epic single “We Are the World.” Also coming to the block will be a Jackson-style “Bad” era black leather jacket.
“All this came in months ago,” said Panagopulos. “The consigner, I”™m sure, is elated that we”™re running about a month behind schedule.”
The Alexander 1,000-lot auction is scheduled for late August.
Panagopulos said the auction industry in the last year had little results to show, but in May the industry was the best he”™d seen in four years.
“People are taking their money out of the market and putting them in to different places,” said Panagopulos. “Collectibles, content autographs, manuscripts and letters have not taken the beating that real estate, stocks and bonds have taken in the last two years.”
Panagopulos said presidential, war and pop collectibles have never backtracked more than 10 percent or 15 percent.
“Now this material is taking off,” said Panagolpulos. “That”™s for the better material; the mid-line material is affected by the market and has come off 20 percent. I”™m telling my customers to buy the best stuff you can. I”™m seeing the best material appreciate 15 percent a year.”
