How you can soon own a part of Elvis history
Get ready, Elvis fans. Your chance to own a little bit of the King rolls around again in a few weeks as part of the four-day Elvis Birthday Celebration at Graceland, his Memphis estate.
Twice a year, in August during events surrounding his death and again each January as part of birthday activities, Graceland auctions off a selection of Elvis artifacts in both live and online bidding.
January's birthday week auction will take place Jan. 8 beginning at 12:30 p.m. CST in the theater at the Guest House at Graceland.
Among the items up for grabs this time?
- The original sale agreement for Graceland
- A red velvet shirt worn by Elvis, likely onstage, at his famous Tupelo homecoming concert in 1956
- An original 1955 concert poster
- A check signed by Elvis
- Historic tour documents once belonging to Elvis' sound engineer, Bill Porter
- Elvis jewelry, including a TCB necklace given to him by Dr. George Nichopoulos, or Dr. Nick, who was Elvis' personal physician.
- Microphones Elvis used on stage
- Gold record awards.
Some items are available for viewing at Graceland's new entertainment complex, Elvis Presley's Memphis, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 6 and in the Rock Conference Room at the Guest House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 7.
The catalog of available items is ShopGraceland.com and includes photos and details of all auction items.
The live event is open to the public, but bidders must register in advance. Paddle pick-up for in-person bidding will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 7, and 10 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Guest House in the Rock Conference Room. Paddles can be reserved in advance by emailing auctioninfo@graceland.com.
For information on bidding or to email an absentee bid form, contact auctioninfo@graceland.com.
A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
