NEW YORK, NY.- Graceland is hallowed ground, not only to those who revere the memory of the man who made it famous American icon Elvis Presley but also to millions of fans worldwide who still think of Presley as the one and only King of Rock and Roll. Interest in authenticated items that belonged to the superstar entertainer, or were worn by him onstage, has never waned. This has led to an extraordinary, first-time event: the Aug. 14, 2014 auction of a famous Elvis collection, to be held on the grounds of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Immediately after Graceland Authenticateds marketing team confirmed that
LiveAuctioneers had been chosen to provide Internet live-bidding services for the auction, the Manhattan-based company started formulating a plan that would combine a trip to Graceland with the formal launch of its new LiveAuctioneers YouTube channel.
A three-person video crew selected by executive producer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster traveled to Graceland, where they toured the 1939 mansions rooms and grounds, and also viewed items from the auction, many of which were consigned by Australian super-fan Greg Page. (Note: None of the auction items are from the Graceland Archives, which remain the property of Lisa Marie Presley.)
The exciting Graceland videos produced for LiveAuctioneers YouTube channel offer viewers a privileged look at highlights to be sold in the Aug. 14 Auction at Graceland.
During our video teams visit to Graceland, they interviewed Angie Marchese, who is Director of Archives at Graceland, said Foster. Angie spoke about the history and backstories of several key items in the auction a Tupelo, Mississippi library card with the earliest known Elvis signature, a 1975 Martin D-28 guitar that Elvis gave to one of his bodyguards, Elvis signed military-leave pass from when he was stationed with the US Army in Germany, and stage-worn jewelry, including a fabulous gold, diamond and ruby lion pendant. The pendant was one of Elvis favorite pieces of jewelry. He wore it during a 1970 visit to The White House, when he met President Nixon.
Each item in the auction is accompanied by a letter of authenticity issued by Graceland Authenticated.
Over the next two weeks, several additional videos from Graceland will be accessible via LiveAuctioneers YouTube channel. Among the topics to be featured are:
A Private Tour of Graceland LiveAuctioneers team tours the fabled interior of the white-columned mansion Elvis called home, including a visit to the Hawaiian-themed Jungle Room, where Elvis relaxed and enjoyed the company of family and friends; and the Racquetball Building, which is filled with Elvis many awards and beautifully showcased stage outfits.
Elvis Cars & Motorcycles Auction Tip: See Lot 62, the 1977 maroon and silver Cadillac Seville V-8 Automatic that was the last personal car Presley purchased for personal use and the last Cadillac he ever drove)
If youre an Elvis fan and who isnt youll love the YouTube videos weve prepared from our teams visit to Graceland. Its a sneak peek at some amazing artifacts and an exploration of the Graceland mansion with the Graceland staff, said Julian R. Ellison, CEO of LiveAuctioneers.
Ellison added, I can think of no better way to launch our YouTube channel than through our coverage of the preview and events leading up to the Auction at Graceland. Even today, almost 37 years after his passing, Elvis continues to capture the imagination of fans everywhere. He is an American institution, and LiveAuctioneers is deeply honored to have been chosen by Elvis Presley Enterprises to work with them as a marketing partner for their first-ever on-site auction.
LiveAuctioneers YouTube channel is a professionally produced online entertainment resource whose current and soon-to-be-added shows include The Daily Bid, which focuses on fascinating auction discoveries and other auction-related topics; plus other regular shows about high-profile auction houses and headline-makers from the art, auction and collecting world.
View the fully illustrated online catalog for the Aug. 14, 2014 Auction at Graceland and sign up to bid absentee or live online as the sale is taking place at
LiveAuctioneers. For a free subscription to LiveAuctioneers YouTube channel, log on to
www.youtube.com/LiveAuctioneersTV.