The Elvis Treasures (Hardcover)

by Robert Gordon (Author) "Vernon Presley met Gladys Love Smith at the First Assembly of God Church in East Tupelo, and they'd married in 1933..." (more)
Key Phrases: commerce center, Elvis Presley, Heartbreak Hotel, Las Vegas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A collection of removable reproductions of rare Elvis® memorabilia, direct from Graceland®! With the help of archivists from Elvis Presley Enterprises, this unique compilation shares the King’s life story through reproductions of handwritten letters, press releases, movie scripts, and never-before-seen photographs. Also features evocative text from renowned author Robert Gordon, and Elvis Speaks, an exclusive 60-minute audio CD of candid conversations with Elvis himself. Includes such treasures as:

- A copy of Elvis’s first RCA recording contract
- Replicas of concert tickets
- A reproduction of Elvis’s personal wallet and its contents
- Facsimiles of telegrams Vernon Presley received at the time of Elvis’s death
- And much more!

The avid collector’s dream come true!

From the Inside Flap
On October 3, 1945, ten-year-old Elvis Presley climbed atop a chair to reach the microphone and performed the song "Old Shep" for a crowd of several hundred at the Tupelo fair, coming in fifth place in the talent contest. Ten years later, the King created his first full-scale riot after an appearance in Jacksonville at a baseball park. Girls poured through an overhead window, catching the police off guard, and stole or shredded almost every stitch of clothing Elvis had on. He scaled the shower area and clung to the pipes overhead while fans clamored to touch and take home a piece of him.

Now Graceland has opened the doors to its extensive archives for the first time ever, allowing previously inaccessible historic documents and memorabilia to be reproduced in facsimile, collectible form. With biographical text by acclaimed Elvis expert Robert Gordon, The Elvis Treasures tells the King's life story through handwritten letters, press releases, movie scripts, photographs and additional artifacts. Where else can you get a ticket to "Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley," evaluate the King¡¦s hand-drawn football plays, read his first RCA contract, and check out a book that he borrowed from the Humes High School library as an eighth-grader? Published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Elvis¡¦ death, this unique interactive book also contains a 60-minute CD of interviews spanning his career, providing a formerly unavailable portrait of the King in his own words.

The Elvis Treasures contains 22 removable documents, including:
-rare promotional photos issued by Sun Records in 1954-55
-a 1958 Christmas card from Elvis and the Colonel (as Santa)
-Elvis's letter to Anita, his Memphis girlfriend, expressing his love and commitment to her while he was stationed in Germany
-an invitation to the premiere for Viva Las Vegas
-telegrams Vernon received upon Elvis' death from Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Governor George Wallace, B. B. King, Little Richard and others

Description of the 60-minute CD of interviews
The first interview, track 1, was conducted in 1955 by Mae Boren Axton, months before the song she gave him, ?Heartbreak Hotel,? would become his breakthrough hit. Track 2, recorded roughly a year later, finds Elvis admitting, in an unguarded moment, that his performing style was inspired in part by the gospel quarters he?d always loved; it?s a confession that comes back to haunt him in the following interview, conducted in August 1956 by Paul Wilder of TV Guide (track 3). When Wilder uses the term ?holy roller? in asking him about the religious influence on his music, Elvis interrupts him??I have never used that expression??with the hair-curling command of a preacher. The TV Guide interview makes for fascinating listening, as Elvis uses charm, biting sarcasm, and the sheer force of his conviction to parry Wilder?s interrogation. Tracks 4 and 5 are far more joyful in spirit, as we hear first Elvis? parents and then the singer himself tossed about in the maelstrom of his triumphant Tupelo homecoming concert in 1956. (?Baby Play House,? his mother responds unforgettably when asked her favorite Elvis song.)

Then we jump ahead to Elvis? Army years and a montage of clips reflecting his life in the service, America?s reaction, and his return home (track 6). Elvis speaks earnestly about working the same details as the other soldiers, but by the end of the selection seems quite happy about returning to his ?normal? life. Track 7 finds him back at work, in a brief interview on the set of Blue Hawaii. But what follows, an excerpt from a long conversation with Lloyd Shearer of Parade magazine (track 8), is perhaps the most introspective interview Elvis ever gave. (Elvis? half of this conversation was released on the RCA boxed set Elvis Aron Presley as ?An Elvis Moonsong;? fans may enjoy hearing this excerpt in full, with Shearer?s quiet questions intact.) And the final two recordings, tracks 9 and 10, find Elvis at new conferences before his landmark shows at the Houston Astrodome (1970) and Madison Square Garden (1972)?disarming the press with clever quips, and expressing his love of good old rock ?n? roll?that undying love of music that had always been with him.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Villard (July 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375506268
• ISBN-13: 978-0375506260
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,000,104 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #26 in

  Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Rhythm & Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neatest Elvis book I have ever seen, July 23, 2002

By A Customer

Wow! Just bought this book today. I am an immense Elvis fan, and this thing is so cool. Its filled with reproductions of Elvis stuff--his driver's license, record contracts, Christmas cards, letters to/from the Colonel, tons of stuff! All these things are packaged with the book and are removable, so you can totally check them out. They all look completely authentic. The book itself has a great essay-length text. Rock on, King!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Choice for Elvis fans, December 4, 2002

By	Wanda Gates (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

When I purchased this book, I really couldn't put it down. It has some amazing stories and literature in it. It also contains letters that he wrote, letters that were sent to him, tickets, etc. This is a perfect gift for the Elvis fans!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Elvis Treasures, February 17, 2003

By A Customer

Someone had purchased this book for me. I was so impressed with its contents/documents/photos and information that I ordered the same book for a person I know who is an Elvis impersonator. He was over-joyed to receive it and claimed he had never come across such a great book! It is a book to treasure.