CALABASAS, Calif. — A rare piece of movie memorabilia from Prince’s 1984 classic film “Purple Rain” is hitting the auction block.
Prince donned the black-and-white blazer with leather sleeves while riding a motorcycle with co-star Apollonia Kotero.
“It’s definitely the most important piece of screen-worn Prince clothing that’s ever come up for auction,” said Joe Maddalena, president of the Calabasas, California-based auction house, Profiles in History. “This is a signature piece of wardrobe worn from an iconic movie in his most famous role.”
The coat is a unique find from the typically reclusive artist, who was found dead last week at his Paisley Park complex just outside of Minneapolis. According to Rolling Stone, the singer gave the coat to a make-up artist who had worked with him on the movie. She then gave it to her sister, who is the one who sold it to the auction house.
“Prince memorabilia in general, it just really doesn’t exist. It seems like he controlled it all,” Maddalena said. “This is the first time ever for something like this, and it might be the only time because the rest of the costumes may be in his (personal) wardrobe.”
The original seller said her sister, a makeup artist, received the piece from Prince after they worked together on “Purple Rain.”
The June 29th auction will also include costumes from Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys and a Swarovski crystal studded glove from Michael Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous” world tour.
Maddalena said he believes the “Purple Rain” blazer will be the “star of the show” and expects it to sell for much more than the asking price, $6,000 to $8,000.
“Hopefully it will reach a price that is equivalent to his stature as a musician,” he said.
