Elvis Presley's Personally Owned 1956 Elvis Presley Enterprises RCA Victor (Model 7-EP-45) Record Player

Offered is Elvis' Personally Owned 1956 Elvis Presley Enterprises RCA Victor (Model 7-EP-45) Record Player. It was not uncommon for Elvis to end up with any number of the various licensed products that were produced in the 1950s. As for this record player, Elvis eventually gave it to Memphis Mafia member Lamar Fike. His 1996 accompanying letter of authenticity reads "This is to confirm I was a close friend of Elvis Presley for over twenty years and this record player RCA Victor was Elvises [sic] own and used by him at Graceland." Also included is a snapshot of Lamar holding the record player when he sold it.

In 1956, to commemorate its recording contract with Elvis, RCA offered an "Elvis Presley" signature series of its popular 1955 portable EY series record players. The Elvis Model "7-EP-45" signature series is blue vinyl with a light blue tweed lid, white interior and white volume and tone finger wheels, while the tone arm and matching spindle top are tan in color. The lid has two snap arm closures on either side and a clear plastic carrying handle. The RCA Victor logo is in white on the front plaid cloth and Elvis Presley’s printed signature is in gold at the top front right corner. The interior has the original gold sticker listing the model number as "7-EP-45" and the serial number RVG 010854. This larger, more expensive model proved not as popular as the EY series and therefore is much scarcer today. The phonograph presents with a motor that powers up but may need restoration and a new needle for playback. Excellent condition.