It’s been a solid week for auctions dedicated to the Purple Man, huh? A few days after his famed “Yellow Cloud†guitar sold for a cool $137,500 to Indiana Colts owner Jim Irsay, some memorabilia from Prince’s famed 1984 film Purple Rain also went up for auction at California’s Profiles in History. (The auction was arranged and scheduled prior to Prince’s sudden death in April.) Going for nearly 32 times the asking price, the two main items — the New Romantic–style ruffled, ivory silk shirt and the black-and-white blazer Prince wore in the film — sold for $96,000 each to unknown buyers. Other noted items, such as a pair of knee-length high-heeled boots from Prince’s 1988 Lovesexy tour, also sold for hearty chunks of change.
The auction house’s founder, Joe Maddalena, said a makeup artist was given the blazer following the completion of Purple Rain. “It just happened to be one of those coincidences that unfortunately he passed away,â€Â Maddalena 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.†Might we recommend a game of basketball in those funky new threads? (Game. Blouses.)