Auctioning off a legend

He spent his life dancing his way into the hearts of millions across the world, and in one days time, Augusta's native son was stripped of his most precious possessions by those who professed to love him most. His fans.

A childhood portrait of James Brown went for $5,000, his Bible for $625 , and his medical bracelet worn to indicate he was a diabetic sold for $30,000. That's just three of more than 300 items, including Brown's Kennedy Center Honors award, sold to the highest bidder in an attempt to raise money to pay estate taxes and other bills.

"You just don't auction those things off. Those things are of value," said Daryl Brown. "Those things are to put up for other generations to come to look at and weigh themselves against, not just to give to somebody to put in their house, and say I got James Brown stuff."

I can't imagine how proud Mr. Brown must have felt to recieve the NAACP Image Award in 1975 and then the BET Lifetime Achievement Award more than 2 decades later. They both sold for $2,500 each.

I can't imagine how honored Mr. Brown must have been to sip out of Presidential Champagne Glasses and recieve a certificate from the Republican Presidential Honor Roll presented to Mr. James Brown as a charter member of the Republican Presidential Task Force, with facsimile signatures of Ronald Reagan and John McCain. They both sold for $375 each.

I can't imagine how special Mr. Brown must have felt to receive a hand painted wooden sign that read "The Golden Rule set at this home 3056 Walton Way Ext. Augusta, GA is a follows: Who ever has the gold makes the rules. Who has the Gold? "Daddy" Everyone is in agreement that "DADDY" sets the rules in this home. All the little Brown rats: Deidre, Daryl, Venisha, Deanna, and Yamma. "We" Love you Daddy." It sold for $4,000.

One of his daughters, Deanna, told me she feels like someone raped her father.

Can't you just imagine how good James Brown must be feeling tonight?

Chris Thomas
News 12