Elvis Presley’s Guitar, Other Personal Items Up for Auction
If you are a fan of the King of Rock 'N Roll, now is your chance to own some of his personal items and a part of history. Elvis Presley, who is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, recorded some of his most famous songs on a 1942 Martin D-18 acoustic guitar. Presley owned the guitar from 1954 - 1956, which means it was used in the famous "Sun Sessions". According to Guitar World, Elvis "used the D-18 extensively while recording at Memphis’ Sun Studios and onstage between 1954 and 1956, and can be seen playing the acoustic in many photographs from the era."
Gotta Have Rock and Roll, the company that is holding the auction, says Elvis bought the guitar at O.K. Houck’s Piano Store in Memphis, and traded in his Martin 000-18 for it. The adhesive metal letters Elvis used to decorate the guitar still remain, except for the "S" in Elvis.
The guitar is currently on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and is expected to go for between $2 million and $3 million. The starting bid is $1.2 million. A similar guitar purchased in the 1950's would have cost approximately $140. It has been described as the most important guitar owned or played by Elvis to ever come up for auction.
53 other personal items are up for bid, and include a 5ct gold ring studded with diamonds, Elvis' copy of Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet," (with handwritten notes), and a red Munsingwear pajama top. The online auction went live on July 22, and bids will be taken through July 31. Good luck, Elvis fans!