Rare Photos Prove a Gateway to Elvis : Discovered at Graceland
Graceland archivist Angie Marchese was cataloging receipts and other paperwork from Vernon Presley's Graceland office about two weeks ago when she found a manila envelope with three photo negatives.
'Just when you think you've seen everything, all of a sudden there's something new', said Marchese. The negatives were photographs of Elvis Presley greeting fans at the newly installed gates of Graceland in 1957 while others literally climbed atop the walls for a better look.
'It was a more innocent time', said Marchese. 'Celebrities today don't do that, but here's Elvis. He's 22 in the midst of his early stardom, and he's standing there talking to all of the fans'. No one knows who shot the photographs or the exact date, but the gates made their debut on April 22, 1957, before Elvis or his parents moved into Graceland. The house was being renovated before Vernon and Gladys Presley spent their first night there on May 16, 1957. Elvis, who was filming 'Jailhouse Rock' at the time, didn't spend his first night at Graceland until June 26, 1957, but he visited while the work was in progress, says the archivist.
The newly-discovered photos show a twenty-two year old Elvis at the gates of Graceland in 1957 shortly after he purchased the mansion and the now famous gates were installed as an added security measure. The three rare photos have never been published, although a 4th photo from the same series has appeared on a limited basis in Elvis focused publications. Elvis is photographed just inside the gates signing autographs as a crowd of adoring fans seeks his autograph. A number of fans are even pictured on top of the famous fieldstone wall and brick columns that surround Elvis' Memphis estate, appearing as if they are about to rush over the wall to greet Elvis. At the time, Elvis was celebrating an eight week run at #1 on the charts with the hit tune, 'All Shook Up'.
The photos will go on display in the Elvis Lives Exhibit at Graceland beginning July 1st through the end of Elvis Week on August 16th. Elvis Lives is a FREE and interactive exhibit area at Graceland.
Preview of The Elvis Files Volume 2 Featuring the 'new' photos
Preview of The Elvis Files Volume 2 Featuring the 'new' photos.
The Elvis Files author Erik Lorentzen advises that he was a little bit suprised with this news, since he has these pictures in his collection for over 20 years. And they will be published in his next release, The Elvis Files Volume 2. Also, the stock of Vol 3 is low with the publisher at this time.
We still have copies available, but it's a good idea to act fast if you want one!
Buy The Elvis Files Volume 3, 1960-1964 Hardcover Book
Erik Lorentzen from Norway met Elvis backsatge in Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, June 23, 1973.
This story also made the media; below from the Herald Sun Melbourne Australia
Rare Photos Prove a Gateway to Elvis : Discovered at Graceland.