The third installment of the Auction At Graceland is now open to the public, with bids being accepted online for 174 rare Elvis Presley items up for auction by third party individuals. Out of the three officially sanctioned Elvis Presley Enterprises auctions held at The King’s former home, this incarnation is by far the largest.
The live auction will take place on Thursday, August 13, at the Graceland Archives Studio, but you can submit online bids now at GracelandAuctions.com .
The Graceland Archives Studio officially opened to the general public in August of 2014 as part of Elvis Week 2014 . Elvis Week is a yearly celebration of the life of Elvis Presley, and it is always held the week of August 16 to coincide with the anniversary of Presley’s 1977 death.
The first Auction At Graceland was held during Elvis Week 2014 , and the second edition of the event was held during January of this year during Graceland’s celebration of what would have been Presley’s 80th birthday. Elvis Presley Enterprises is hoping that the Auction At Graceland will become a signature event for these two gigantic yearly celebrations where thousands flock to Memphis, Tennessee.
All of the private items up for sale to the general public during the Auction At Graceland have been authenticated by the staff at Graceland Authenticated. None of the items for sale come from Graceland’s personal Presley archives, though representatives from Graceland do participate in the auction and bid on items that they may want for their collection.
The signature item up for sale during this year’s auction is a jumpsuit worn by Elvis during 1973 and 1974, nicknamed the “starburst jumpsuit.” According to ElvisConcerts.com , the “blue starburst” jumpsuit was worn by Presley during his August and September, 1973 engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, as well as during a March, 1974, tour in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It’s estimated that the jumpsuit will auction for between $100,000 and $150,000.
The auction catalog has an interesting description of the Presley jumpsuit up for auction, indicating that it was once dismantled and has now been pieced back together.
“Sometimes tragedy becomes serendipity, as is the case with this Elvis Presley stage-worn jumpsuit from his 1973 Las Vegas Hilton shows and concert tours. With its parts damaged, disassembled and then reunited after decades, it has emerged as a complete and original stage worn artifact from the peak of Elvis’ 1970’s performing career.”
Other items of note that will be auction during Elvis Week’s Auction At Graceland include :
- El vis Presley “Viva Las Vegas” Jacket worn in dance scene with Ann-Margret (Estimated $30,000-50,000)
- Million Dollar Quartet Signed Guitar with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis signatures (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- “TCB” Diamond and Gold Necklace gifted to Sammy Davis Jr. by Elvis Presley (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- 1956 Elvis Presley Double-Signed Transfer Agreement moving 15 Songs to Gladys Music (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Gold Owl-Shaped Ring gifted to a fan from the stage (Estimated $15,000-20,000)
- 1969 Elvis Presley Handwritten Signed Letter to Gary Pepper discussing the inaugural show at the International Hotel (Estimated $10,000-15,000)
- Elvis Presley Signed Shirt from his personal wardrobe provided as the Grand Prize in a 1973 Boy Scout raffle (Estimated $8,000-12,000)
- 1968 Elvis Presley Film-Worn Jacket from “Live a Little, Love a Little” (Estimated $7,000-10,000)
- 1957 Elvis Presley Enterprises Elvis Presley Doll in rare original box (Estimated $7,000-10,000)
- 1971 Elvis Presley Signed Martial Arts Card with fingerprints (Estimated $5,000-7,500)
- Elvis Presley’s Personal Walther Model PPK/S 9mm Kurz Handgun ornately engraved “Elvis” and “TCB (Estimated $100,000–125,000)
[Image via Elvis.com]