Elvis Presley’s blue suede shoes only touched British soil once but more than 400 of his prized possessions are now coming in to land.
Fewer than 200 fans saw The King in 1960 on his stopover at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire as he returned to the US from national service. Now, many more can visit the Direct from Graceland : Elvis exhibition from Friday – where half of the items are on show for the first time.
Graceland Archives’ Angie Marchese, 51, who guided Princes William and Harry around Elvis’s Memphis home in 2014, said: “The princes remembered Diana listening to Elvis and them all singing Hound Dog.” Here, she walks us through the 10 most valuable items on show at Arches London Bridge.
White two-piece outfit - $200,000
Worn during his run at the International Hotel and designed by Bill Belew. Angie said: “Belew came up with this karate-like outfit, so Elvis looked different to everyone else. He split the seam of the pants a couple of times so he switched to a one-piece jumpsuit.
American Eagle Jumpsuit - $1
Elvis wore this iconic outfit during his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite performance. Angie said: “Because the performance was being seen in 40 nations, he wanted something that said ‘America’. That’s why it was red, white and blue. He was a real patriot.”
First-grade crayon box - $35,000
First-grade crayon box Elvis’ name is written on the box, which Angie said his mum, Gladys, put in a chest discovered in 1994 in the attic at Graceland.
Maltese Cross - $150,000
This was a Christmas gift in 1973 from girlfriend Linda Thompson. Angie said: “He loved wearing it. It had 121 quarter-cut diamonds. Elvis was always religious, so it meant a lot to him.”
Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 - worth over $1m
Bought for $20,000 in 1975, Elvis used the car to chase speeding drivers. Angie said: “He’d put the lights on, pull people over, give them his autograph and tell them to slow down.”
Las Vegas gold belt - $500,000
Given to him by the International Hotel in Sin City after his concerts at the venue in 1969 shattered all previous attendance records. Angie said: “He wore the belt in the Oval Office when he met Nixon in 1970.”
Gold microphone - $200,000
Elvis bought the gold microphone for his Las Vegas run at the International. He performed 57 shows in 28 days at the hotel. Angie said: “He wanted a gold one because he was Elvis. He was the king of rock and roll.”
Keys to Graceland - $20,000
Angie said: “Elvis grew up in poverty but promised his parents he’d buy them a big house and take care of them.“ He fulfilled that promise when he bought Graceland in 1957. He owned other places but Graceland was always his home.”
Briefcase telephone - $30,000
Elvis bought this after watching the 1963 James Bond film, From Russia with Love. Angie said: “Elvis was a huge James Bond fan.”
Family bible - $25,000
Taken to church during his upbringing in Tupelo, Mississippi, the family’s address is inside. Angie said: “Religion was a big part of Elvis’s life.