1958 Gladys Presley Funeral Archive Including Thank You Cards and 35mm Contact Sheets

Offered is an archive of material from the Eddie Fadal estate related to the 1958 funeral of Elvis Presley's mother, Glady Presley. Elvis had become close with Eddie while in basic training at Fort Hood. The Fadal home was a respite for Elvis from the base and prying eyes of the media and fans. He stayed there often, as did his parents when they came to Texas. When Gladys passed suddenly that year, it was natural for Eddie to attend the funeral. The collection includes:

• August 28, 1958, letter signed by Colonel Parker. The letter addressed to Mr. Eddie Fadal reads in part "While getting all the thank you cards out this week ad many other letters pertaining to the sad passing of Mrs. Presley 2 weeks ago, it feel it proper to also write a personal letter to thak you in behalf of Mr. Vernon Presley and Elvis for the many personal services you gave the Family during this sad time." It's a touching thank you to a close friend of his client's;
• August 29, 1958, thank you letter from Colonel Parker to "Mama and Dad Holifield", along with a sympathy card singed by Vernon and Elvis Presley--these are secretarial signatures, but these sympathy cards for Glady's funeral are rarely seen. Accompanied by original mailing envelope. Pops Holifield owed record stores in Midland and Odessa, Texas, and the Holifield's often hosted Elvis and the boys when they were touring in the area during the 1950s;
• 1958 Eddie Fadal photograph with inscription "En-route to Graceland and visit Elvis in Memphis" and processing date of "AUG 58", Among writing on the reverse reads in part "This photo taken at Waco Municipal Airport as Eddie returns to be with Elvis during mourning period following Elvis' mother's death.";
• Two 8 x 10 inch medium format contact sheets of Elvis, Eddie and several friends during the days following Gladys' passing, when Elvis was given a helicopter ride to raise his spirits. The sheets were printed later, no earlier than the 1970s based on the Kodak paper used.

The group is a wonderful and interesting assemblage of artifacts from the saddest time in the young Elvis Presley's life. Excellent condition overall.