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Where once Elvis Collectibles
& Elvis Presley Memorabilia was limited to exclusive auction houses, today eBay
plays a 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
sell 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.
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USA Elvis Postage Stamp
(see details below)
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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 endeavour 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
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An
item in mint condition & with the original packaging will bring
the highest price.
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Items
that have been subject to wear would be worth less.
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Items in mint condition but not in the original packaging are
usually sought by fans.
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Items
in good condition & in their original packaging have a high
market value.
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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.)
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45 Vinyl (Originals-Special Color Series)
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33 1/3 Vinyl (Originals or Special Picture Discs)
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Magazines (Cut-outs are always subject to author's copyright)
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Card Sets (Full Set vs Part Sets)
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Movie Programs (Originals)
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Movie Poster & Lobby Cards (Originals vs Copies vs Foreign
Languages)
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Concert Tickets & Programs (Original vs
Cancelled Concerts)
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Sheet Music (Original vs Inclusions in Music Books)
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Items owned by Elvis (everything & anything) Proof will ascertain
its true value.
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Photos (Snapshots vs Professional) (Never published before vs Mature
Elvis)
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Books (First Day 'Hardcopy' Covers) Still to be evaluated.
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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. At present are regarded
simply as novelty items. That's not to say, in 40
years they will become valuable collectible items
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
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The rarest Elvis Stamp is postmarked Amarillo Texas dated December
1992.
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First Day Covers:
Postmarked Memphis Tennessee with Graceland Musical Gate
dated January 8,1993 are a collectors items
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First Day Covers:
Postmarked USA are favored by with
European collectors
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First Day Covers: Postmarked Return To Sender are a favorite
novelty item
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Elvis Stamps: Full Sheets in an LP album cover are still sought
out
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Elvis Stamps Commemorative Collections issued by Graceland
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Silver Ingot Elvis 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..."
The most efficient method
to evaluate your Elvis collectibles is to do a search on
eBay for similar items and see what fans are willing to pay.
Elvis
Memorabilia | Elvis Jewelry | Elvis Guns
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Elvis
Watch Collection
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