Which Elvis Collectibles Are Fetching the Highest Dollar?
Source: Etta’s Etceteras
My sewing machine is ready, and I’ve picked out a pattern. Note, I didn’t say I’d ordered the pattern.
As I wait for my Elvis fabrics to be delivered by an Arizona auction house, I fantasize about the garments I plan to make and, hopefully, sell. There are too many unknowns to commit to laying out pattern money just yet. How big is each piece? How heavy is the material – light enough for summer wear or better suited for fall? Are there any holes or tears I’ll need to work around?
When you bid on wares from an online auction, you may find that the descriptions are bare-boned. I get it. Auctioneers can handle hundreds, or even thousands, of items in each separate auction. I appreciate the amount of time it takes to sort, organize, catalog, photograph and post each one. Then, they have to coordinate in-person pickups, shipping and billing after the event. There’s simply not enough time in most cases to write an in-depth description.
My Elvis fabric pieces were described “Elvis fabric.” I got them at a good enough price – and believe in my sewing fantasy enough – that I feel confident in making a profit from the purchase.
So far, my best experience with the bare-boned online auction descriptions phenomenon is a book I got from a Tennessee auction house. I knew the title, author and publication date; there was a photo, or maybe two, showing the general condition. What I didn’t know until I picked it up – and did my research- is that the vintage book had a typo. Yay for typos! Come to find out, the typo signifies an early printing…and a higher value to collectors. The auctioneer, who was handling multiple books and hundreds of other items in that one sale, couldn’t possibly have had the time to research every book and know about the value of a typo in one of them.
So, if you’re new to online auctions, keep in mind that you may not know as many details as you’d prefer and this – sometimes – can work out in your favor.
Elvis Was Born Jan. 8, 1935
The incoming Elvis fabrics are on my mind today because it’s Elvis’ birthday. I’m also wondering, with the millions of Elvis items out there, which ones are the better investments for sellers?
Naturally, the highest-priced items are the ones touched or used by Elvis. Think guitar, jumpsuit, autograph or even one of his many law enforcement badges. The Memorabilia Club’s website lists Elvis-related sales over the past few years. Prices range from $22,000-$1.8 million. Out of my price range, but a fun and informative read.
https://www.thememorabiliaclub.com/en-us/pages/10-of-the-most-valuable-pieces-of-elvis-presley-memorabilia
The Etta’s Etceteras blog focuses more on vintage items you can pick up for, say, less than $20 and sell for perhaps $100. Or even $50. You get the idea.
When I searched HiBid this morning for Elvis items in upcoming auctions, I found 571 lots. That’s a lot of lots.
One that caught my eye for potential sellers is the Elvis and Priscilla Wedding Barbie.
Source: HiBid/Sunrise Auction Company, Deforest, WI
It’s offered by Sunrise Auction Company (Lot#132) in Deforest, WI. The auction closes at 7:00 pm EST on Jan. 26, and shipping is available. Buyer’s premium is 12%. (Always check the auctioneer’s info for possible additional fees like credit card processing, taxes, shipping and handling, etc.)
As of Jan. 8, the high bid was $8. Current resale prices on various platforms seem to mostly cluster in the $75-$150 range.
Enjoy your Elvis-ing….
Etta's Etceteras 