Offered is one of the finest examples of Elvis Presley's 1954 Sun Records 209 “That’s All Right” ever available to the collector market. It emanates from the personal files of Sun Records Promotions Manager Cecil Scaife, and is very likely from the very first batch ever pressed in 1954. The 45 presents with all the hallmarks of a "Memphis pressing," which includes the "delta" marks on the labels. This trio of small indentations under the paper labels form a triangle (or the Greek letter "delta") and are indicative of copies of the record produced at Plastic Products in Memphis during that first few months of production. Sam Phillips used a "Presto" brand record lathe in his recording studio on Union Ave, the legendary Memphis Recording Service, and acetates from the Presto lathe had the three holes that were then transferred onto the records themselves. Sam replaced his lathe in late 1954 or early 1955, and the delta marks subsequently don't appear on Sun releases. Other early pressings of Sun 209 from 1954 came from plants in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and they do not exhibit the marks.
The accompanying signed letter from Scaife, dated December 13, 2006, reads "I was the first Promotions Manager at Sun Records in the 1950's, hired by Mr. Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee. I promoted some of the early greats, such as Carl Perkins, Carl Mann, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. One of the other acts I promoted was Elvis Presley, while he was at Sun Records. The record you now own is from my personal collection and has been in my possession since it came from the pressing plant. The record, 'That's All right,' catalogue number 209, is in the original brown promotional sleeve, and the record has never been played. This is among a very limited number of records existing that is actually from the first promo pressing that Elvis and I used while he was touring the circuit. To my knowledge, they are the only ones left that are in mint condition.. This is a very rare record, which I hope you will respect and enjoy for many years to come. You have a real piece of Rock and Roll history!"
We couldn't agree more, Cecil! A very small number of Elvis' Sun records were squirelled away by Mr. Scaife and have circulated in recent decades. Because they were never played, indeed never saw the light of day, they are regarded as some of the most pristine examples available.
The 45 is in unused, unplayed condition with “U-128-45 72” marked on side A and “U-129-45 72” marked on side B. The Sun Records sleeve has ever-so-slight wear and browning to the edges from age. There are the most minor, hardly visible scuffs on the vinyl-mentioned only out of thoroughness, along with one little white blemish on the dead wax of the B side. Near Mint to Mint condition.