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Presley's copy of "They've Killed the President!," starting at $8,000

Jumpsuit from 1971, starting at $70,000 (left) Presley's Bible, starting at $15,000 (right)

Stroud upright piano, starting at $300,000

1967 Ford Ranchero, estimate upon request

Web posted on:
Friday, October 08, 1999 1:08:03 PM EST

By Jamie Allen
CNN Interactive Senior Writer

(CNN) -- It ain't nothin' but an auction. Yeah, right.

It could be the King of All Auctions. At the very least, it's an auction fit for a king -- Elvis Presley, that is.

Friday through Sunday, Guernsey's auction house -- on behalf of Elvis Presley Enterprises -- will offer for sale over 2,000 items that belonged to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, the singer of simple Mississippi roots whose voice, curled lip and pelvic thrust brought rock 'n' roll to the masses in the 1950s, the man who reached God-like celebrity status before his death in 1977 -- and still retains it, for many.

In true Presley style, the auction is set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with some proceeds used to build Presley Place in Memphis, a new shelter for homeless people. (There's also talk that additional proceeds could help pay for a new museum at Graceland, the King's former Memphis home.)

Auction participants are allowed to bid for Presley paraphernalia in person and on the Internet, as well as by fax, phone and mail. It's a major media event, albeit one that may have some observers scratching their heads -- why would you pay $2,500 for a canceled Phillips 66 credit card? Others will no doubt be shivering with delight, just as they did when the King was King.

Publisher Harry N. Abrams has gotten into the act, offering "Elvis Presley: The Official Auction Catalogue," a compendium of everything-Elvis slated to grace the auction block. It's a useful resource to comb through, considering the number of items up for bid. There are cars, musical instruments, contracts, contract amendments, telegrams, letters, posters, tickets, credit cards, checks, records -- even the keys to Graceland.

The book includes more than 300 photos, along with interesting notes to tempt the potential buyer. For instance, there's Elvis' first piano, a simple Stroud upright that cost him $281.75 in 1956:

"Making only $50 a week," the catalog says, "Elvis went with Barbara Pittman ... to O.K. Houck Piano Store located on 121 Union Avenue of downtown Memphis to purchase his very first piano. The Stroud upright piano was in the used section of the store and Elvis financed the piano through a monthly payment plan."

During the weekend, the piano will go to the block with a starting price of $300,000.

Other items in the catalog: