A rare glimpse inside the private life of a global superstar as Michael Jackson's family photo album goes up for auction
Surprising as it might seem, it appears Michael Jackson did manage to maintain a private life.
Less than three years after the King of Pop died, a never-before-seen family photo album is up for auction.
The snaps are of relatives and friends - most unknown to the public - and were taken in the 1970s. They provide a unique insight into pop's most famous clan.
Moment in time: This blurry snap of Jackson brothers Tito (left) and Jermaine (centre) and a friend taken in the early-1970s is one of a haul of personal photos in a never-before-seen album that is up for auction next month
At ease: These two photos are believed to be of Jermaine Jackson. The family album is expected to well exceed it base price of just £3,000 when it goes on auction in Bedford next month
Bound in a nondescript cover, it looks just like any other family album.
It was one of a massive collection of items Jackson placed into storage in the 1990s.
But they were repossessed shortly before his 2009 death because he could not afford to pay the £60,000 release fee.
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A private collector based in Britain bought the album and is now selling it at WH Peacocks auctioneers in Bedford, Bedfordshire, next month.
The sale has already attracted huge interest in the U.S. and auction houses believe the lot will well exceed its base price of just £3,000.
While some of the images clearly show Jackson, the subjects in some of the other shots are less identifiable.
Family affair: Matriarch Katherine Jackson strikes a symmetrical pose with sons Jackie (left) and Jermaine
Private: The images are of relatives and friends - most, including this girl, unknown to the public
Group shot: The auctioneers admit that, without a member of the Jackson family themselves pointing out who everyone was, be they relatives or friends, it is difficult to identify most individuals
The auctioneers admit that, without a member of the Jackson family themselves pointing out who everyone was, be they relatives or friends, it is difficult to identify many individuals.
A spokesman for the auction house admitted he had never seen anything like this before.
John Lewis said: 'We have kept the sale value low, because so many people still have Michael Jackson memorabilia, but no one has anything like this.
'I deal with rock and pop memorabilia and items every day and you just don't see something as intimate as this coming up for auction, from Michael Jackson or anyone for that matter.
'It's a family album, just like anyone one of us may have. There are little Polaroids, small prints and regular photographs - it's just that in these photos is a global megastar.'
Close friend: The album was one of a massive collection of items Jackson placed into storage in the 1990s that were repossessed before his 2009 death
Drinking game: The photo album's seller - who wishes to remain anonymous - picked up the album from private collectors in the U.S.
Dressing the part: young boy poses with a baseball bat
He added: 'We have already had a lot of interest from the U.S. but we're expecting interest from all over the world.
'It is intriguing to look at these photos and guess who is in them, obviously we all look a look different when we're younger so it's fun to guess who is who.
'I suppose the real people who'll know who all the people are in the album are the Jackson family themselves.'
The seller - who wishes to remain anonymous - picked up the album from private collectors in the U.S.
The auction on March 10 is the first time the photo album has ever been seen by the public.
From left: Jermaine, Michael, Jackie, Marlon and Tito Jackson in their Jackson 5 glory days
Auctioneer: Matt Baker poses with the once-in-a-lifetime Jackson rarity, which goes on sale on March 10
Nondescript: The album looks like any other family photo album from the 1970s
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