1956 Elvis Presley Enterprises “EMENEE” Six-String Toy Guitar with Original Box

This 1956 offering from the extensive “Elvis Presley Enterprises” line of merchandise is the visual centerpiece to many advanced Elvis collections. The guitar has a faux wood marbleized body and neck design with a white facing. The facing for the head is molded in the same black plastic as the molded-fret fingerboard, and it has the addition of a white and red text stamping that reads, "Emenee Official Elvis Presley Guitar." The body facing has two kidney-shaped color photo labels: one is a portrait of Elvis with a printed signature; the other pictures a droopy-eared pup, with the words "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog," and a heart that is inscribed, "Love Me Tender." The guitar also still maintains its original “strap,” a braided pink and black length of rope. The instrument comes in a custom cardboard case with a printed alligator skin finish, though the original plastic carrying handle is missing. Inside the case lid's interior is a color image of the King, catching him in the act of singing, strumming, and (of course) gyrating. Printed text in the same area reads, "Emenee Musical Toys / Easy to Play - No Lessons Needed / Elvis Presley Guitar / With Automatic Chord Player and Book of Songs / © 1956, Elvis Presley Enterprises." The guitar measures 31 by 11 inches, and the case measures 12 3/4 by 33 by 4 inches. The guitar presents with moderate wear to the head stock and a large crack where the head stock meets the fretboard has been repaired. The box presents with mild wear, is missing its handle and has some mild staining in several areas. The pictorial interior cover remains intact and very bold and bright. Excellent condition overall, with the guitar technically lesser due to the repair.