On what would have been his 80th birthday, Elvis Presley is giving a treasure trove of gifts to some wealthy fans.
On Thursday at Graceland, 68 genuine Elvis artifacts will go up for auction, including a few of the most desired items for any rock and roll memorabilia collector.
The first recording ever made by the King, a 78 mm acetate of “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin,” will be sold. The recording was cut in June 1953 at Memphis Recording Service and has been privately owned ever since.
Another prized recording that will be offered is an autographed 78 record of Elvis’ first professional recording for Sun Records. The recording of “That’s All Right” is signed in blue ink, “To a good pal, Elvis Presley.”
Elvis’ original driver’s license will also be on the auction block. According to a press release from Graceland, the license was issued on March 24, 1952, when he would have been just over 17 years old. The card doesn’t include a photograph and lists Elvis’ occupation as student.
Other items up for sale include a jacket Elvis wore during the shooting of “Viva Las Vegas,” his hit movie with Ann-Margret. The jacket was originally part of the wardrobe collection at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
You can register online for the auction, which starts Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
