11/7 2:53 PM PT -- 11/7 -- Howard Weitzman, attorney for MJ's Estate, tells TMZ, "The Estate does not believe the "socks" being auctioned by 'gottahaverockandroll.com' are from the Motown show. Frank Dileo was not Michael's manager at the time of the iconic performance in the Motown 25 TV special."
He continues, "The letter supposedly given to Mr. Dileo is dated 2.5 years after the March 1983 show and the person who made the original socks worn at the NBC special has confirmed these are not the originals. When the Estate thinks MJ items are not as represented we feel an obligation to speak out so no buyer or fans are misled."
Michael Jackson's flashy socks from the first time he busted out his iconic moonwalk are hitting the auction block, but if you want 'em ... you'll have to foot a HUGE bill.
MJ's stage-worn, custom crystal stockings -- which he donned during his performance of "Billie Jean" in the 1983 TV special, "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" -- are expected to haul in at least a million big ones, possibly up to $2 mil ... according to Gottahaverockandroll.com
The auction site's presenting the socks as part of its Frank DiLeo collection ... DiLeo's the late music exec who signed Jackson to Epic Records and managed him from 1984 to 1989 following the massive success of "Thriller."
Along with the socks comes the signed letter from Michael to Frank presenting the gift to him ... as a token of appreciation for keeping on his "toes" throughout MJ's famous Victory Tour.
We're told the package also comes with a letter from DiLeo's wife attesting Michael wore the socks for his debut moonwalk during the TV special ... along with a certificate of authenticity.
And if $1-2 million is too rich for your blood, the DiLeo collection's also going to feature original gold and platinum awards for "Thriller," "Dangerous," "Bad," "This Is It" and "Off the Wall" ... as well as a movie prop sign used in the 1988 film, "Moonwalker."
The auction runs from November 13-22.
Originally Published -- 11/6 12:30 AM PT