Jackson Memorabilia Brings in $205,000

Only one day after Michael Jackson's premature death, 21 items once owned by the mega-star fetched $205,000 at a Las Vegas auction. The event was planned before the entertainer's June 25 death and was estimated to only bring in $10,000 to $12,000, reports Bloomberg.

The Jackson memorabilia that was auctioned off on Friday was owned by David Gest, formerly married to Liza Minnelli. Jackson was best man at the couple's wedding, reported the Associated Press.

The auction, which was held at the Planet Hollywood hotel-casino was almost cancelled. Julien Auctions Chief Executive Darren Julien did not want to appear to be capitalizing on the death. "I thought about pulling the lots, but we have people bidding from all over the world," Julien said, according to the Associated Press.

The prices reflect the increased interest in Jackson's music and career following his death this week in Los Angeles at the age of 50.