- Title: USA: MADONNA ITEMS AUCTIONED ONLINE
- Date: 21st July 2001
- Summary: SCU SOTHEBY'S.COM WEB SITE WITH MADONNA AUCTION
- Embargoed: 5th August 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK AND UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA7XRW4ZJG3E55LGRKTPAW1OHKO
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Material goods from the Material girl are up for auction. Items from Madonna's 20 year career are being auctioned online by Sotheby's including a black corset worn during her 'Who's that Girl' tour and an early rejection letter from a record company.
The first all-Madonna, on-line auction dedicated to the pop icon was put on display in New York on Tuesday (July 17).
The items in the sale span the 20 year career of the Material Girl.
Madonna got her big break in 1984 with her top-10 hit 'Borderline.' Since that time she has had over 12 number 1 singles in the US, and has released 11 albums and numerous soundtracks and compilation albums.
But perhaps more importantly than her recording achievements is the impact she has had as an icon in the world of popular culture. A black sequinned bustier attests to this fact. It was worn by Madonna during her 'Who's that Girl' tour and if you want to wear that bra the bidding will start at 9,000 U.S. dollars.
The creative process of the Material Girl is also well represented in the items. The handwritten lyrics to her hit 'Like a Prayer' are in the sale, as well as the Roland keyboard she used to compose the early hits 'Into the Groove,' 'Borderline' and others.
Robert Shagrin curated the show for 'Gotta Have It', which is teaming up with Sotheby's.com for the sale. Shagrin said Madonna's show biz career is "A rags to riches story."
"She came here to New York City in 1978 with 37 dollars in her pocket, and scraped and scratched and persevered and became a great temptress-songwriter and she became one of the great performers and she has re-invented herself over and over again which is really unprecedented," he said.
One of the most interesting items in the sale highlight the fact that Madonna's career has not always been smooth sailing. In 1981 an unknown Madonna sent a demo tape and resume to Millennium Records, and was rejected. The sale include the tape, resume and rejection letter and is expected to sell for at least 2,000 U.S. dollars.
The sale includes numerous early publicity stills and letters from Madonna's career. Shagrin describes Madonna's strong appeal.
"She really astounds me personally as well as obviously the rest of the world with all her re-inventions. It's really unprecedented and we believe at 'Gotta Have It' that she's going to be the single most collected pop culture icon in music history, female," said Shagrin.
Bidding on the items can be made through Sotheby's.com and the auction runs from July 18 until August 1. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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