Auction offers collectors a trove of Elvis Presley artifacts
Bidding has opened on a trove of Elvis memorabilia up for grabs in “The Auction at Graceland,” a part of upcoming Elvis Week activities.
Want a pistol once owned by World War II’s Gen. Omar Bradley and gifted to Elvis? How about the contract signed by Elvis for the song “Love Me Tender”?
Both items are among the catalog of artifacts listed for the auction, which will be held at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 12 in the theater of The Guest House at Graceland and online at GracelandAuctions.com.
The auction is an annual part of Elvis Week in August. This year’s Elvis Week activities will be Aug. 11-18.
“We actually do it twice a year,” Graceland spokeswoman Ashleigh Gallant said of the auction. “During Elvis Week and also in January (Elvis’ birthday).”
Items up for bidding run the full spectrum of collectibles, including items owned, gifted or signed by Elvis, as well as items created to promote Presley. All items come from third-party collectors — nothing from the Graceland Archives is ever auctioned. The mansion and the Archives are owned by Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
A sampling of the items available for bidding:
Gen. Omar Bradley’s 1942 Beretta Model M1934 9 mm Corto Caliber Pistol.
It was given to Elvis on Dec. 9, 1970, and later given to Elvis’ girlfriend, Barbara Leigh. Its estimated value is $50,000 to $100,000.
A contract dated Aug. 27, 1956, for the song “Love Me Tender.”
The contract also was signed by Ken Darby (the song’s writer); his wife, Vera Matson; and Freddy Bienstock. Estimated value is $20,000 to $40,000.
A 1954 Sun Records Acetate for Elvis’ “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
with additional recordings on the reverse side. Estimated value is $5,000 to $10,000.
A television set from daughter Lisa Marie’s bedroom at Graceland,
with a bullet hole from where Elvis shot it. Estimated value $5,000 to $10,000. The full catalog is available for viewing at ShopGraceland.com and includes more than 200 pages of photos and details of all auction items. Collectors wishing to bid in the live auction Aug. 12 can register for a paddle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 and 10-11 a.m. Aug. 12 in the Rock Conference Room at The Guest House at Graceland.
Collectors with an existing bidding account can reserve a paddle for in-person bidding by emailing auctions@graceland.com. Advance registration is recommended. Online bids may be submitted at GracelandAuctions.com.