This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/7/2024
Offered is one of the most incredible collections of documents ever assembled concerning the earliest days of Elvis Presley's recording career at Sun Records and the very birth of Rock & Roll. It includes 47 letters to and from Sun Records from July 1954--the month of Elvis' first single--until December 1955--just weeks after the sale of Elvis by Sam Phillips to RCA. The content of the correspondence chronicles the trials and tribulations of Sam Phillips and Marion Keisker straining to do everything they can to promote and distribute their new artist they best way they know how. Sam knows he's onto something big--he can tell by the response first in Memphis, then in the region, and then anywhere people start to hear Elvis sing across the country. They are solving technical issues with record stampers, apologizing for late payments to suppliers, thanking record plants and distributors for all their hard work and understanding while always striving to maintain some modicum of professionalism. You can follow the story of Elvis' rising star from pimply faced kid to regional up and comer to rising star that makes it to the big time at RCA--it's a fascinating and historic archive the likes of which we are not likely to see again when it comes to the history of Rock & Roll.
The letters are accompanied by letters of authenticity from several sources. Thirty-seven of the letters emanate from noted collector Aaron Benneian and their provenance is covered in his 36 signed LOAs. The remaining 10 letters emanate from the collection of Pete Howard, a well-known expert in the field of memorabilia with a specialty in vintage rock & roll posters. His detailed letter of authenticity covers those items. Also included is a signed COA from legendary Elvis Presley collector and expert Jimmy Velvet.
All of the letters from Sun Records, from both Sam Phillips and Marion Keisker, are carbon originals from the Sun Records files (the original letters sent to the addressees are certainly lost to history!) The letters to Sun are all original and also emanate from the Sun Records files. The collection of letters include:
- July 29, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 2 pages;
- July 29, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 2 pages;
- August 6, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Bronzeville Distributors, 1 page;
- August 9, 1954 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 10, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Pan American Distributing Company, 2 page;
- August 16, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 18, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Records, Inc., 2 pages;
- August 31, 1954 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- September 11, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Campbell-Carl Company, 1 page;
- September 22, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Pan American Distributing Company, 2 pages;
- September 22, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- September 22, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- September 24, letter to Sam Phillips from Pan American Distributing Company, 1 pages;
- September 25, 1954 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- November 4, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Gotham Record Corporation, 1 page;
- December 6, 1954 from Sun Record Company to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- December 28, 1954 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- December 29, 1954 from Sam Phillips to Bronzeville Distributors, 1 page;
- January 3, 1954 (mis-dated, actually January 3, 1955) to Sam Phillips from Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- January 6, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- January 19, 1955 Marion Keisker, to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page plus work sheet;
- January 24, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Pan American Distributing Company, 1 pages;
- February 12, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- February 12, 1955 from Pan American Distributing Company to Sam Phillips, 1 page;
- February 15, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Pan American Distributing Company, 1 page;
- February 17, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- March 1, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Central Record Sales Co., 2 pages;
- March 10, 1955 from Sam Phillipso Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 2 pages;
- March 14, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- March 21, 1955 to Sam Phillips from Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- June 1, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- July 14, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- July 14, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- July 23, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- July 30, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 3, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Chatton Distributing Company, 1 page:
- August 8, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 15 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 17, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Records, Inc., 2 pages;
- August 20, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Monarch Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- August 26, 1955 from Records, Inc. to Sam Phillips, 1 page;
- September 19, 1955 from Sam Phillips to Records, Inc., 1 page;
- September 28, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- September 29, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- October 22, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page;
- December 10, 1955 from Marion Keisker to Paramount Record Manufacturing Company, 1 page; and
- December 19, 1955 from Paramount Record Manufacturing Company to Marion Keisker, 1 page.
Each page measure 8 1/2 x 11 inches and presents with expected wear from filing and storage but are all remarkably well-preserved. Near Mint condition overall, with a few just lesser.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.