"This is the most historic piece of Michael Jackson album art extant from the height of his career," said Joe Maddalena, president of Profiles in History.
Whelan, who was commissioned to create the "Victory" album cover art by Michael Jackson in 1984, is a multiple-award-winning American artist. He worked for over 30 years as an illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy before devoting all his work to a fine art career. His art has appeared on over 350 book and magazine covers, including many by Stephen King, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert Heinlein and others.

"My experience with Michael and the other Jackson brothers, while admittedly brief, was different from what I've been reading in the papers or seeing on TV broadcasts. My recollection of Michael was as an articulate, considerate, soft spoken man, generous with his time and his compliments. His music has the power to unite us in sound, and I was fortunate to have had a part in the "Victory" album. I've held onto the painting he commissioned from me as a memento of those days, and for many years it has been hanging over the doorway to my studio. Now, I feel, it's time for me to share it," said Whelan.