Offered is a Elvis Presley signed check dated August 1, 1969, made out to “International Hotel” and endorsed “E. A. Presley." No amount is written on check, numbered 3579, but a handwritten side notation states, “Hotel bill during show in Las Vegas, Nev. July 24 to July 31, 1969.” It is likely the International Hotel refused to take any payment for Elvis' expenses during his highly touted stay while he was performing in their ballroom, hence the lack of amount on the check. This artifact is from the one of the most historic days in Elvis’ career during which he cemented his wildly successful return to music and a lengthy stint of live performances in Las Vegas.
For reference, the check numbered just prior to this one, #3578 which is held in the Graceland Archives, was paid to "Village Flower Shop" in Los Angeles and was dated July 21, 1969. During that period, Elvis was rehearsing in Los Angeles prior to heading to Las Vegas for his shows at The International Hotel. The check number 3583, which was dated August 4, 1969, several days after the offered check, was written to Lamar Fike for his expenses during his upcoming stay in Las Vegas from August 4-13.
Before Elvis’ opening night show on July 31, 1969, as he prepared to once again take the stage for a live performance after almost a decade in Hollywood, he was struck with a bout of stage jitters. Early Friday morning, August 1, 1969, after an overwhelmingly successful concert, Elvis attends a press conference at which he admits that he was “a little nervous for the first three songs, but then I thought, ‘What the heck, get with it, man, or you might be out of a job tomorrow.’” His incredibly strong appearance that fateful night led him to regularly scheduled performances in Las Vegas for years to come and paved the path for the method of entertainer’s bookings in Vegas through the present day. (Photo at right: Elvis at the August 1 Press Conference the day this check was signed!)
The check measures 8 1/4 x 3 inches and presents in Near Mint condition with original fold lines. Encapsualted by Beckett Authentic. The word "VOID" was initially written across the check in red, and the signature was scratched out, also in red, but these marks were later cleaned off, leaving a gorgeous artifact from one of the most important events in Elvis' career.