Prince’s Purple Rain shirt fetches almost $100,000 at California auction

White ruffled shirt sells for 32 times its asking price of $3,000-$5,000, while blazer also fetches $96,000 after musician’s death in April

A white ruffled shirt that was worn by Prince in the film Purple Rain has sold at auction for 32 times its asking price, fetching nearly $100,000.

The New Romantic-style ivory silk shirt and a black-and-white blazer from the 1984 film sold for $96,000 (£72,300) each at the sale in California. Profiles in History founder Joe Maddalena said the blazer – which had an asking price of $6,000-$8,000 (£4,500-£6,000) – was scheduled to be sold before Prince’s sudden death in April.

The signature shirt worn by Prince’s character the Kid had an asking price of $3,000-$5,000 (£2,300-£3,800) before the auction.

Prince, 57, was found dead at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota on 21 April, from what was later found to be an accidental overdose of a powerful painkiller, Fentanyl.

Also in this week’s auction, a pair of knee-length high-heeled boots from the 1988 Lovesexy tour sold for $17,920 (£13,500), while a necklace from his Diamonds and Pearls music video fetched $8,320 (£6,300). A white ruffled shirt from the Purple Rain tour sold for $32,000 (£24,100).

Speaking before the sale, Maddalena said a makeup artist was given the blazer after she worked on Purple Rain.

“It just happened to be one of those coincidences that unfortunately he passed away,” he said. “Probably the signature thing he is known for is Purple Rain. It’s what made his career. It’s probably what he’ll be remembered for always. To have an important piece like this is pretty astonishing and an amazing opportunity.”

A spokesman for Profiles in History refused to reveal who bought the items from the Icons of Hollywood sale. A Swarovski crystal-studded glove worn by Michael Jackson on his 1992 Dangerous world tour was also due to auctioned but was removed.

Last week, a yellow Cloud electric guitar that Prince played in concerts was sold at auction to the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay. Prince used the guitar at gigs until the mid-1990s.

Mr Irsay, who collects musical instruments, paid $137,500 (£103,000) for the guitar when it went on sale at Heritage Auctions in Beverley Hills, California.

Via the Guardian

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