Minnesota Historical Society obtains more Prince items

Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Historical Society has obtained two items that illustrate Prince's religious beliefs and desire to control his image.

The items are a 1984 printing of the Bible and a note the rock star wrote to his lawyer that demanded the removal of unauthorized pictures from a fan website, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported .

The items show aspects of Prince's personality that aren't currently displayed in the collection, said Sondra Reierson, the historical society's curator and interim head of collections management.

"These items offer a window into aspects of Prince's life and personality that MNHS cannot access through existing collections," said Sondra Reierson, curator and interim head of collections management. "Though it's well-known that Prince became a Jehovah's Witness in 2001 and was a master at controlling the use of his image, no items already in the collection speaks directly to either aspect of his life."

Prince became a Jehovah's Witness in 2001. A fellow Jehovah's Witness gifted Prince the travel-sized Bible after meeting him at a service in England. The historical society purchased the Bible from Prince's former bodyguard.

Prince was also known to threaten legal action against website that used his image, music or videos.

The historical society also has handwritten song lyrics from 1977, a ticket to Prince's first solo concert at Minneapolis' Capri Theatre in 1979 and his famous suit from "Purple Rain."

Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com