More than 170 Elvis artifacts to be auctioned at Graceland
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Want an Elvis Presley "Starburst" jumpsuit he wore during concerts in Las Vegas in 1973? Or how about a diamond and gold pendant the King of Rock 'n' Roll gave Sammy Davis Jr.?
They're among 174 authenticated artifacts up for auction Thursday evening at Graceland, Presley's longtime Memphis, Tennessee, home.
The auction is part of Elvis Week, the annual commemoration of Presley's death at age 42 on Aug. 16, 1977. Auctions are also held on his birthday in January.
Bids are accepted online for several weeks prior to the live auction, when all the bids are brought to the floor, said Laura Pickett. She's managing director of Graceland Auctions, which handles auctions for Graceland. Pickett said all the artifacts are from third party collectors; nothing is owned by Graceland itself.
Joanne Colless and her husband traveled from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia, to attend this year's Elvis Week. What caught her eye? A pair of 1956 Elvis Presley Enterprises canvas sneakers in like-new condition, with the original pictorial box. The original owner apparently kept them in their box instead of wearing them, according to a description of the sneakers by Graceland Auctions. They're expected to draw bids up to $6,000.
"I like the sneakers ... because my son is a dancer and I think he would really get a kick out of having them to dance in," she said. "And to say he's actually been in the shoes of Elvis Presley."
Other artifacts in Thursday's auction include:
PERSONAL HANDGUN
The gun was manufactured in West Germany in 1974 and has intricate nickel engravings on the barrel, trigger guard and portions of the grip. "Elvis" is engraved on the barrel, and one side of the wooden grip sports Elvis' emblem "TCB (Taking Care of Business)" and the lightning bolt. Estimate: $100,000-$125,000.
___
"VIVA LAS VEGAS" JACKET
Presley wore the jacket during the popular dance scene with Ann-Margret in the 1964 MGM classic "Viva Las Vegas". Estimate: $30,000-$50,000.
___
ELVIS SUIT
The 1962 dark, charcoal-colored suit was worn by Presley in the MGM movie "It Happened at the World's Fair." Estimate: $20,000-$30,000.
___
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET GUITAR
The Million Dollar Quartet is named for the stars — Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis — who came together for just one night in an impromptu jam session at Sun Records on Dec. 4, 1956. The vintage Harmony Monterey guitar has the signatures of all four on the body. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000.
___
PINKY RING
Presley gave the 15-diamond gold pinky ring to a member of his inner circle who started working with Presley after he returned from his military service and continued working with him until the early '70s. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
___
OWL-SHAPED RING
Presley gave the 14-karat yellow gold owl ring to a fan after a concert in Lake Tahoe in May 1973. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
___
ARMY SEWING KIT
Presley's U.S. Army issue sewing kit, accompanied by a black-and-white photograph that appears to depict a dress-uniform-clad Presley sewing his daily Army fatigues. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.
