Offered is a 1950's Army Air Defense Artillery Pin owned by Elvis Presley. The pin dates to the same era that Elvis was in the U.S. Army, from 1958-1960, and presents with the proper period "Ballou" clutches on the reverse. The missile was added to the two crossed cannons design in 1957. In many photos of Elvis in the Army in 1960, he can be seen wearing his Armored Cavalry pin, with its corresponding crossed sabres and tank design. The pin was eventually gifted to Elvis' cousin Patsy Presley, to whom he gave a great many things during the many years she worked in the offices at Graceland. The pin is accompanied by a letter from noted collector Tom Salva detailing his acquisition of the pin among other items he purchased from Patsy. The letter states,
The item listed and shown above has been in my personal Elvis Presley collection since 1988. I purchased this item, and many others, from Patsy Presley, Elvis Presley’s cousin who worked as secretary in the offices at Graceland for many years during Elvis’ career. The item was originally from a jewelry box from Elvis’ bedroom dresser. I purchased the jewelry box and all its contents from Patsy in 1988. While it didn’t contain any of Elvis’ ornate jewelry with diamonds and gold, etc., it did contain many rings, watches, money clips, cuff links, bracelets, pins and other items of this sort that were often gifted to Elvis by family, friends and even fans. Included below is a copy of the money order with which I purchased the items from Patsy Gambill (her married name at the time) as well as a color copy of the handwritten letter from Patsy, dated October 25, 1988, describing the jewelry box and what it meant to Elvis.
Also accompanying is a color copy of the original letter from Patsy Presley Gambill, as referenced in Tom's letter. Of all the items that were sent to Elvis from fans, he instructed Patsy to show him the Bibles and the jewelry--and of those items, the offered Army Air Defense Artillery pin was one he kept. The pin measures 1 inch in diameter and presents with heavy wear. Very Good condition.