A gun owned by Elvis sold for $28,800  while a microphone used by the rock icon on the Louisiana Hayride in the 1950s sold for $15,000 at auctioned 16 June. Elvis gave the Walther PPK to Hawaii-Five-O star Jack Lord in 1973. Also at Juliens Auctions is a bottle of prescription pills & a microphone used by Elvis in 1954

A prescription pill bottle belonging to Presley sold for $2,640. "We'd planned to sell the bottle with the pills, but the Los Angeles Police Department told us it would be a federal crime to do it, so sad to say we had to remove the pills," Julien said before the auction. The undated bottle was for the antihistamine and decongestant drug Naldecon, prescribed by George Nichopoulos, who was Presley's personal physician from 1970 until his death 

Where once Elvis Collectibles & Elvis Presley Memorabilia was limited to exclusive auction houses, today eBay plays the major role for the serious collector, hobbyist or the avid Elvis fan. Since the launch of eBay many fans have been duped by unscrupulous sellers.  Here is a detailed report on how to buy Elvis collectibles and what to look for when thinking of buying any collectible and memorabilia item. Most importantly - before you bid on any item ask the seller to verify his/her description statement. The history of how, where and when the seller acquired a particular item they have for sale will normally reveal the whether or not the item is authentic.

The history of Elvis collectibles & Elvis memorabilia began with Colonel Parker who sought to cash in on the lucrative demand. In 1956 alone Elvis had five number 1 singles, and so great was the popularity of his records that RCA was forced to use the manufacturing facilities of other record companies to meet the demand. When Col. Parker realised that fame could translate into a 'celebrity bonanza' he established Elvis Presley Enterprises Incorporated. What followed was an avalanche of Elvis merchandise that left teenagers mesmerized by the appearance of Elvis' name and likeness on every imaginable item. Everything from garments, costumes jewelry, lunchboxes, to board games. Elvis dolls were made available just for the growing legion of female fans. By 1957 Elvis merchandising grossed  25 million dollars. In 2000, Elvis' popularity has remained undimmed and an ever-growing army of fans & collectors seek the potentially valuable icons of the past. Fifty years later nothing has changed. Elvis Watches are proof enough that Elvis collectibles still sell by the hundreds of thousands.

If you are looking to become a serious investor of Elvis collectibles, the novelty retro items, and vintage toys and clothing produced red in the mid 1950's reap the best value for money and have the potential to greatly increase in value.

Elvis collectibles are appraised by whether it was produced in his lifetime or posthumously. The value of any Elvis collectible is ascertained by how much a buyer is willing to pay. That's where eBay comes into play. Elvis on eBay offers collectors a better chance (then auction houses) buy because buyers have more opportunity to find or wait until the particular Elvis item they want comes up for auction eg: Elvis autographs. Distinguishing the real from the fake Elvis autograph is difficult. However I offer any buyer the option to e-mail me the history & copy of the signature and I'll endeavor to offer my educated opinion of its authenticity. Most collectors start with items that appeal to them because of their association. And, remember most buyers buy particular items to add to their existing collection.

The condition of any item will reflect the value

• An item in mint condition & with the original packaging will bring the highest price.

• Items that have been subject to wear would be worth less.

• Items in good condition but not in the original packaging are usually sought by fans.

• Items in good condition & in their original packaging have a high market value.

• Original boxes do enhance the value of the article.

Demand for a particular Elvis collectable item has a direct reflection on the value.
Fans who seek out a single item to complete a set will often pay more than a general collector will. Dealers will often wait until they have a complete set before going to auction. Elvis Trading Cards: The Paint by Numbers Set issued in 1957 original sold for $2.00. Today, this item (in good condition) would fetch $1,000. Elvis Novelty Items (Dolls-Teddy Bears-Lunchboxes-Scrapbooks-Record Cases, etc.)

• 45 Vinyl (Originals-Special Color Series)

• 33 1/3 Vinyl (Originals or Special Picture Discs)

• Magazines (Cut-outs are always subject to author's copyright)

• Card Sets (Full Set vs Part Sets)

• Movie Programs (Originals)

• Movie Poster & Lobby Cards (Originals vs Copies vs Foreign Languages)

• Concert Tickets & Programs (Original vs Cancelled Concerts)

• Sheet Music (Original vs Inclusions in Music Books)

• Items owned by Elvis (everything & anything) Proof will ascertain its true value.

• Photos (Snapshots vs Professional) (Never published before vs Mature Elvis)

• Books (First Day 'Hardcopy' Covers) Still to be evaluated.

• Word of warning  Elvis products marked "limited edition" or "collector's series"  buy it for appeal not as an investment.

Items produced during Elvis lifetime in the 1950's and 1960's have an established value. However, Elvis items produced after Elvis death in 1977 by EPE Inc has no such qualifications, (and at present are regarded simply as novelty items) that's not to say, in 40 years they will become valuable collectible items such as: The most significant posthumous Elvis collectible item has to be the USA stamp.  Issued January 8, 1993 on what would have been Elvis' 58 birthday. The design was decided upon after 1.1 million ballots were cast around the US . In March American Elvis fans were asked to cast their vote between two Elvis images: a young handsome Elvis or an older Elvis depicted in a white jumpsuit. The love me slender design as it was nicknamed was an easy winner by 3 to 1. The Elvis stamp is now regarded as an authentic collectible item. However, the value increases by the same criteria as all postage stamps. The first print run requested 1 million to be printed. By the end of 1993 it had become the most profitable stamp in the history of the US Postal Service. In the first 12 months the Elvis Stamp sold between 32 million dollars worth of 29 cents.

Value of first day covers of USA Elvis postage stamp

• The rarest Elvis Stamp is postmarked Amarillo Texas dated December 1992.

• First Day Covers: Postmarked Memphis Tennessee with Graceland Musical Gate dated January 8,1993 are a collectors items

• First Day Covers: Postmarked in any USA city are favored by with European collectors

• First Day Covers: Postmarked with Return To Sender are becoming a favorite novelty item

• Elvis Stamps in Full Sheets housed in an LP album cover are still sought out

• Elvis Stamp: Commemorative Collections issued by Graceland

• Elvis Stamp: Silver Ingot Stamp with Original Elvis Stamp will hold its value.  

 

Elvis Photographs: I get a lot of requests to apprise Elvis photographs. Sorry to say, Elvis being the most photographed icon of the 20th century. Elvis photos are NOT worth much. Doing a search on eBay search under Elvis photos will verify my conclusion.  However, should you stumble upon an image of "Elvis in bed" with some young thing  I'm sure any tabloid magazine would be only too pleased to pay dearly for the "exclusive rights..." 

 

 

Elvis Memorabilia | Elvis Jewelry | Elvis Gun Collection