Elvis Presley memorabilia are being auctioned off this week, including rare reference recordings from the 1958 movie “King Creole.”
The recordings are complete with talking and pre-recording voice labeling in which Presley can be heard speaking with fellow musicians and singers between songs, according to Boston-based RR Auction executive vice president Robert Livingston.
Livingston says 11 years ago they fetched about $10,000 at auction, and they’re expected to exceed that this time. Presley was granted a two-month deferment for the beginning of his military service to shoot “King Creole” in New Orleans. Livingston says this was the end of an era.
“He comes back out of the Army, goes to Hollywood, and he makes those family-oriented movies. ‘King Creole’ was a tough Louisiana movie. It was always raining. It was dark and there was jazz. It’s something you don’t associate too much with Elvis these days,” Livingston said.
Another record in the auction is a piece of Shreveport’s history, the Louisiana Hayride radio show from the 1950s. Livingston says the double-sided record was made at the KWKH studios and is authenticated by Joey Kent.
“The double-sided acetate [record] we have from the Hayride is from Aug. 20, 1955. He plays ‘That’s All Right’ and ‘Maybelline.’ It’s a great remnant from Elvis’ period in Shreveport,” Livingston said.
The online auction ends Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m., with an initial bid placed by 5 p.m. Other Presley items include candid Army photos and letters to his girlfriend at the time, Anita Wood.
