Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by roger epperson on September 29, 2009 at 5:48am

It's really rare to see anything authentic sent to the fan club presidents. all of the letters and such are secretarial, this one is real.

Permalink Reply by Steve on September 29, 2009 at 9:36am

How much is an autograph thats made out to someone worth? What would be the price difference between "To Jean" and if he just signed his name?

Permalink Reply by DC on October 28, 2009 at 11:38am

This is a late 1950's publicity still. I am a bit sceptical on the both the inscription, and signature. Most inscriptions made to people Elvis did not have a personal relationship with in the 50's had "love you, love ya, or from) before his signature. The inclusion of the word "honey" I have seen on many fakes. Forgers love to include phrases that Elvis may have used in the movies, and match them to an appropriate photo of the same time frame. Since this is a 50's photo its easy to see a forger using the phrase "honey" as Elvis often used it in his early film dialogue. A trait that dropped in later films. Also typical of early Elvis signatures is the use of separated "Elvis" and "Presley" in a staggered format. There are early signatures that use the combined version seen here, but few from the 1950's. Elvis really adopted the style of the single "Elvis Presley" in about 1960. By then the publicity photo here would have been swapped out with a current version and sent to fan clubs by RCA through Tom Parker's office. I think you have an early Elvis secretarial signature and inscription, which is consistent with others I have seen, normally accompanied with other fan club material of the time. These photos were used to really make the fan club presidents feel special, and a true part of Elvis's career. Tricks of the Ol' Huckster himself Tom Parker. I am an Elvis collector myself with 7 authentic Elvis signatures, and a large collection of his personal, film, and stage clothing/ artifacts. I know Roger here did quite an in depth series on Elvis signatures from previous issues of this very magazine, he may have an alternate opinion. You should really have this photo tested to ensure that a minimum the ink etc is consistent.

Permalink Reply by Lea Frydman on March 15, 2010 at 7:54am

The inscriptions before his name like "love you" and "love ya" was stopped when Tom Parker thought that it could lead to complication...

Elvis continued to sign "Best Wishes" after which he only signed his name

During the Vegas years Elvis would include the fans name if they insisted

Permalink Reply by Lea Frydman on March 15, 2010 at 7:22pm

Could this inscription be for Jean C****** she and her husband took many photos of Elvis during 1956.

Check out her interview on the above link

Permalink Reply by Markus Brandes on March 16, 2010 at 12:55am

Dear Autograph friends

First of all I like to thank you very much for your help and sharing of knowledge. I was very impressed with your research and agree that the publicity photo is very close to the Love me Tender shot mentioned by Travis.

It was also most interesting to hear about the change of inscription where he had been advised not writing "Love you" anymore. Is there maybe any reference to this advise available ? I promptly remember those Love you dedications signed by Michael Jackson but this is another topic.

I try to contact the Elvis Presley magazine regarding the contact of Jean C******. Of course it would be fantastic if this photo had been truly dedicated to her but I have seen further inscribed photographs "To Jean" on the market (like enclosed example). As there is a strong connection to Europe there is a chance and I will let you know if I received an answer to this question from the director of the magazine.

Thank you very much again for sharing the research on this object which is part of my personal collection.

kind regards
Markus

Permalink Reply by Dave Danato on September 29, 2012 at 12:21pm

This is not a publicity still. It is a page from Elvis 1950's Christmas LP. I have an autograph on this same photo. The signature is very similar to mine.

Permalink Reply by Dave Danato on September 29, 2012 at 12:22pm

This is not a publicity still rather a page from Elvis Christmas Lp from the 50's.