Rare Michael Jackson painting up for sale - 09/04/2010

A rare painting of Michael Jackson is to be put up for sale on eBay, it has been revealed.

The piece, which was created by Brett-Livingstone Strong, is believed to be the only painting for which the King of Pop posed.

The 127cm by 102cm image, which depicts a fresh-faced Michael Jackson at his Neverland ranch in a red velvet jacket and holding a journal, has been privately owned for nearly 20 years.

Toy inventor Marty Abrams, who acquired the painting in 1992 as part of a debt repayment, said the pop star's recent death had persuaded him and his partner to sell the piece.

He said: "I've had it an awful long time. With the positive response to his music and the movie about him after his death, we thought it was a good time to sell it and for the world to see it."

Michael Jackson died on June 25th, 2009.