Elvis Presley lived in Memphis since the age of 13. The schoolboy did not miss the nights of gospel songs organized at Ellis Auditorium in the city. One can easily imagine this young guy admiring the grand piano on which W. C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway had played. He himself plays on that stage in 1955.
The success of Elvis is phenomenal from 1956. In early 1957, he establishes his residence at Graceland, 15 km away from downtown. By a coincidence of date the auditorium is reorganizing its furnishing in the same year. Elvis buys the piano to install it at a choice place in his music room.
The piano comes from Wm. Knabe which is a good brand. Its date of make derived from its serial number is 1912 but nothing is known of its history before the 1930s nor when it entered that auditorium which opened in 1924.
Elvis creates his own style. He wants a white instrument and has repainted this old piano which he will use until 1968. He put it away when Priscilla had plated in gold leaf for their wedding anniversary a Kimball piano purchased by Elvis in 1955.
Both instruments have a history at auction.
The white piano with its matching bench was discussed twice in this column : it was offered unsuccessfully by Gotta Have Rock and Roll in March 2009 and by Heritage in August 2010. The gold piano received a better achievement at Julien's on 7 November 2015 : it was sold for $ 600K including premium.
The white piano, again with its seat, comes back at Heritage in Beverly Hills on June 25, lot 89492, with an estimate that has become more appealing at $ 600K.
unsold
The success of Elvis is phenomenal from 1956. In early 1957, he establishes his residence at Graceland, 15 km away from downtown. By a coincidence of date the auditorium is reorganizing its furnishing in the same year. Elvis buys the piano to install it at a choice place in his music room.
The piano comes from Wm. Knabe which is a good brand. Its date of make derived from its serial number is 1912 but nothing is known of its history before the 1930s nor when it entered that auditorium which opened in 1924.
Elvis creates his own style. He wants a white instrument and has repainted this old piano which he will use until 1968. He put it away when Priscilla had plated in gold leaf for their wedding anniversary a Kimball piano purchased by Elvis in 1955.
Both instruments have a history at auction.
The white piano with its matching bench was discussed twice in this column : it was offered unsuccessfully by Gotta Have Rock and Roll in March 2009 and by Heritage in August 2010. The gold piano received a better achievement at Julien's on 7 November 2015 : it was sold for $ 600K including premium.
The white piano, again with its seat, comes back at Heritage in Beverly Hills on June 25, lot 89492, with an estimate that has become more appealing at $ 600K.
unsold
Could we see a new #Elvis auction record? https://t.co/6TVOpQXFCf pic.twitter.com/jxdAex65I4
— Paul Fraser (@PFCollectibles) May 27, 2016
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