An auction of Whitney Houston’s memorabilia has earned more than $500,000 (Dh1.8 million) despite a judge blocking the sale of an Emmy Award won by the late singer.
Heritage Auctions says the top bid in Friday’s auction was $20,000 for a pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers given to Houston by NBA great Michael Jordan. A Dolce & Gabbana fur coat worn by Houston on stage sold for more than $16,000.
The auction featured several costumes worn by Houston, as well gold records and other items the Grammy-winning singer accumulated before her death in 2012 at age 48.
A federal judge on Thursday blocked Heritage Auctions from selling Houston’s 1986 Emmy trophy, which she won for a Grammy performance. The company returned the trophy to Houston’s family.
US District Judge Percy Anderson issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday against Heritage Auctions and the pop star’s estate, which planned to sell the Emmy.
Houston won the TV award in 1986 for her performance of Saving All My Love for You during the Grammy ceremony.
Anderson’s ruling says the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has preliminarily shown it’s the owner of the award and is likely to win the case. He set a hearing for July 7 to extend the order.
Heritage Auctions spokesman Eric Bradley says the company would abide by the order.
