New York, July 11, 2008 – Christie’s July 17 auction of James Brown’s personal belongings faces legal challenges, but the more than 320 items went on exhibition in New York on Friday, so you can see the late singer’s stuff while the lawyers argue. 

Open All Night went for a look.  The items range from the poignant – a Grammy Award, a poem written by Muhammad Ali - to the ridiculous – a ranch mink coat, a dome hair dryer accompanied by 11 cans and bottles of hair products. 

Upholstered furniture from Brown’s South Carolina home only appears to be Naugahyde – the pieces are covered in real leather, according to the auction catalogue.  The “Sex Machine” singer apparently was popular with Republicans – there are signed photos from President George W. Bush, and from former presidents George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.  

We love the blue denim “Godfather of Soul” jumpsuit Brown wore in Zaire for his 1974 concert that preceded the Muhammad Ali-George Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” fight.   Our favorite item has to be the “Sex Machine” belt.

Christie's James Brown Collection