A collection of intimate photographs featuring Elvis and Priscilla Presley, encompassing their 1967 wedding and early moments with their daughter Lisa Marie, is slated for auction. These rare images, including unique color snapshots from Graceland, Memphis, are expected to fetch approximately $15,000. This offering provides a deeply personal perspective on one of the 20th century's most iconic couples, revealing aspects of their life together that have remained largely unseen by the public until now.
The collection, comprising 30 silver gelatine prints in a black and white album and three exclusive Kodak Ektacolor 20 RC color photographs, will be presented by Danish auction house Bruun Rasmussen. The color images notably capture Elvis and Priscilla in the summer of 1968, a year after their marriage, alongside their infant daughter, Lisa Marie. One particularly poignant color photograph includes a handwritten note on its reverse: "Elvis going fast to scare mother," offering a charming insight into their family dynamics. The auction house notes that these three color images are likely one-of-a-kind, adding to their rarity and appeal.
These photographs were originally a wedding gift to Priscilla's mother and stepfather, Anna and Joseph Beaulieu, and have been carefully preserved within the Beaulieu family for decades. Priscilla was raised by her stepfather, US Air Force Captain Joseph Beaulieu, and her mother. Their initial encounter with Elvis, already a global sensation, occurred in September 1959 when Priscilla was just 14 and Elvis 24. By 1963, at the age of 17, Priscilla relocated to Graceland with Elvis, signifying a significant turn in their relationship. The couple exchanged vows on May 1, 1967, at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, though their marriage concluded by 1972. The wedding album features images of the couple exchanging rings, cutting their cake, and sharing slices with each other.
The album's front cover is embossed with the wedding date and a dedication from "The Colonel," referring to Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Approximately ten similar black and white albums are believed to have been distributed to other individuals close to the couple. Ludvig Hjorth, a specialist at Bruun Rasmussen, highlighted the significance of the collection, stating, "Elvis and Priscilla Presley are undoubtedly one of the most iconic couples of the 20th century, and it is extraordinary to be able to present such rare and personal documentation of their life together." The auction is scheduled to commence on Monday at 7:50 PM local time in Denmark. Priscilla, now 81, has maintained a public presence, recently attending The Official Ramones 50th Anniversary Tribute in Los Angeles in August, and visiting Denmark's Elvis Memphis Museum in March.
This auction provides a unique opportunity for fans and collectors to acquire tangible pieces of the legendary couple's history, shedding light on their private lives beyond the public persona. These cherished family keepsakes, now emerging from the Beaulieu family's private collection, continue to narrate the compelling story of Elvis and Priscilla, reminding us of their enduring legacy and the intimate moments they shared.
