- LOS ANGELES: Elvis Presley's white grand piano and his 1955 contract with RCA Records are going up for auction in Memphis next month, with the piano expected to fetch more than $1 million, auctioneers said on Monday.
The purchase agreement for the King of Rock 'n' Roll's Graceland mansion, and a letter Presley wrote in 1955 to his then girlfriend shortly after entering the US Army, are also among the highlights of the 270-lot Elvis Memorabilia auction on Aug.14. The white Knabe piano was owned and played by Presley for a decade. The singer bought it in 1957 from the Ellis auditorium in Memphis where it had been played by visiting gospel performers for more than 20 years. The piano was placed in Graceland's music room until 1969. Doug Norwine, director of music & entertainment at Heritage Auctions said the piano was "an emotionally-charged prized possession of the King himself."
The singer's personal services contract with RCA Records, signed by Presley, his father and his manager Colonel Tom Parker, is expected to fetch more than $150,000.