Just this weekend I was searching through some old auction catalogues. Hadn't seen it until now....I noticed a very high profile U.S. based auction house had for sale a hand written letter from Elvis Presley. The letter was dated January 18th, 1956. It was addressed to a young lady in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Here's the story...

Hand written and signed "Elvis Presley" the letter talked about the release date of his new record Heartbreak Hotel, the Jackie Gleason television show, the Grand Ole Opry, all of course supposedly written by Elvis.

Here's what caught my eye....the final paragraph of this letter says the following...and remember..."Elvis" wrote this to a young female fan....and I quote....

"If you'll send 25 cents I'll be glad to autograph a picture as soon as a fresh supply arrives. Have lots of mail to answer so bye for now"....and then signed "Elvis Presley".

Can you imagine Elvis telling anyone at any point in his career to "send a quarter" and I'll sign a picture for you?? 

Fortunately this auction house still provides an archive where it's possible to check prices realized. This December 2013 auction with this bogus Elvis letter penned courtesy of our forging friends in Europe had an auction estimate of 15 to 20 thousand dollars !!!! 

It's AMAZING to me these auction houses continue to make these kinds of major mistakes over and over again.

The good news is the letter is NOT listed among the items sold from that auction. Whether it was pulled from the sale or didn't  meet the reserve I do not know.

But one thing I do know for certain...man you gotta' be careful...