Offered is a 14K gold Rolls Royce car key that belonged to Elvis Presley. Elvis gave the key to his close confidant and Memphis Mafia member Joe Esposito. The key has been engraved with "ELVIS PRESLEY" on its face, flanking the Rolls Royce logo and has "14K" stamped on the edge. Elvis' love a cars was legendary, and he had a special place in his heart for his Rolls Royces. He bought his first in 1961, the Phantom V, in celebration of signing a big movie contract, and bought several others over the years. Joe Esposito explained where the Rolls Royce fit in the group of cars that Elvis owned: "He really liked Cadillacs and Lincolns, also some Chryslers. We bought a few foreign cars like the Rolls Royce because it was very prestigious and looked great, a Mercedes limousine and a Ferrari, but mostly his cars were American-made. He was very patriotic when it came to that."
A copy of Joe's January 8, 1982, bill of sale with Jimmy Velvet is included, and it lists several items Joe is selling at the time. Number 3 on the list is "14K Rolls Royce Key (uncut)." Also included is a later letter signed by Jimmy Velvet that explains that the key was featured in several of his Elvis Presley Museums in Memphis, Nashville, Orlando and Honolulu, and that "After purchasing a Rolls Royce once owned by Elvis, I had this key 'cut' to fit that car." The key was also featured in the 1995 Butterfield & Butterfield Elvis Presley Memorabilia Auction of Jimmy's collection.
The key would be the perfect companion to Elvis' 18K gold Rolls Royce belt buckle also available in the auction!
Also included with the key are several modern copies of photos of Elvis in his various Rolls and a copy of the 1963 credit application for purchasing his 1964 Rolls Royce Phantom V. The key measures 2 x 5/8 inches and presents with some adhesive residue on the reverse, most likely from being mounted for display. Excellent condition.