Offered is Elvis Presley's personal "Miraculous Medal," also known as the Medal of Our Lady of Graces. It's origins date to 1830, when Saint Catherine Labouré witnessed the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The design is based on Saint Catherine's vision, where she saw the Virgin Mary surrounded by light, crushing a serpent below her feet. The front of the pendant reads “MARY CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN PRAY FOR US WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE” and “1830” at the bottom. The reverse is marked with “STERLING” at the bottom. Elvis was a lifelong spiritual seeker, and it is unsurprising that he would be drawn to such a powerful religious symbol.
The necklace was eventually gifted to Elvis' cousin Patsy Presley, to whom he gave a great many things during the many years she worked in the offices at Graceland. The necklace is accompanied by a letter from noted collector Tom Salva detailing his acquisition of the necklace among other items he purchased from Patsy. The letter states,
The item listed and shown above has been in my personal Elvis Presley collection since 1988. I purchased this item, and many others, from Patsy Presley, Elvis Presley’s cousin who worked as secretary in the offices at Graceland for many years during Elvis’ career. The item was originally from a jewelry box from Elvis’ bedroom dresser. I purchased the jewelry box and all its contents from Patsy in 1988. While it didn’t contain any of Elvis’ ornate jewelry with diamonds and gold, etc., it did contain many rings, watches, money clips, cuff links, bracelets, pins and other items of this sort that were often gifted to Elvis by family, friends and even fans. Included below is a copy of the money order with which I purchased the items from Patsy Gambill (her married name at the time) as well as a color copy of the handwritten letter from Patsy, dated October 25, 1988, describing the jewelry box and what it meant to Elvis.
Also accompanying is a color copy of the original letter from Patsy Presley Gambill, as referenced in Tom's letter. The pendant measures 1 ½ x 1 inches, and the chain measures 24 inches. Near Mint condition.