Elvis Presley’s personal Bible, a remarkable item stuffed with the late rock legend’s personally highlighted reflections on scripture, has been sold at auction for $120,000.
What is taken into account by his fans as a big piece of music history, and by some Christians as a robust testimony, was discovered by Elvis’s cousin, Patsy Presley, along along with his father, Vernon Presley, as they sorted through the singer’s personal belongings following his tragic death in 1977.
The Bible fetched a remarkable price over Memorial Day weekend within the US at a sale hosted by Kruse GWS Auctions, receiving 23 bids before the ultimate gavel got here down.
The Bible, notable for its gold-embossed cover featuring Elvis Aaron Presley’s name and its pages stuffed with bookmarked and underlined passages, held special meaning for the ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ singer.
Kruse GWS Auctions described it as containing numerous marked pages and passages that resonated with Elvis. One such passage, from the book of Job, 31:24-26, reads: “If I actually have made gold my hope, or have said to the nice gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and since mine hand has gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness.”
Accompanying this testament to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s spiritual devotion is a handwritten letter from Patsy Presley. The letter provides context to the Bible’s discovery and its journey through the years. Patsy recounts: “Shortly after Elvis’ passing, my uncle Vernon (Elvis’ dad) and I went up into Elvis’ bedroom at Graceland to organise and pack a lot of his personal belongings. This Holy Bible was considered one of three that Elvis had on his night table. After packing them, Uncle Vernon had me take them home for safekeeping and eventually gave them to me.”
Elvis, who died of a heart attack at his Graceland estate on 16 August 1977, on the age of just 42, often turned to the Bible for solace and inspiration, and it was a relentless presence in his life. He was known to say a prayer before every performance, highlighting the deep connection he tried hard to keep up along with his faith.
Billy Stanley, Elvis’s stepbrother, told Fox News, “Plenty of people don’t realise that after every show, he would unwind by singing gospel songs until the sun got here up. He was in contact with the Lord. Plenty of people said, ‘Well, he did this and that.’ We all fall short. We’re all human.”
Presley’s emergence within the Nineteen Fifties marked a seismic shift in popular music. His unique fusion of blues, country, and gospel, coupled along with his electrifying stage presence, captivated audiences and revolutionised the music industry. Hits like ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, ‘Hound Dog’, and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ not only topped the charts but in addition challenged societal norms and broke down racial barriers.
Throughout his profession, Presley showcased his versatility as an entertainer, starring in quite a few popular movies corresponding to ‘Love Me Tender’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas’, which further solidified his status as a cultural icon. More than a billion Presley records have been sold worldwide, and he had 18 songs that topped the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart during his profession.
The winning bidder of the Bible has, up to now, remained anonymous.
