Elvis “Comeback” Guitar Sells for Nearly $1 Million

Forty-five years after his death, Elvis Presley’s popularity is still high, as seen by the recent biographic movie released and the fact that more than 500,000 people still annually visit his home, Graceland, in Memphis. A sale held Aug. 27 by GWS Auctions Inc. of California, of jewelry and items given by Presley to his manager Col. Tom Parker proved his collectibles still have fans twisting and shouting. Top seller was Elvis Presley’s 1968 Comeback Special Hagstrom V-2 guitar (exhibited in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum and with well-documented provenance) that sold for $937,500. This bright red guitar was played by Elvis Presley in his national televised comeback special “Singer Presents…Elvis” that aired on NBC on December 3, 1968. It marked Elvis’ return to live performance after seven years of doing movies. It also launched Elvis’ return to live touring, beginning with a series of performances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, his first public stage appearance in eight years. Elvis Presley played this guitar in several segments of the show and is pictured with it on the cover of the RCA album “From Elvis in Memphis.”

 

Photo: GWS Auctions