This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/7/2024
Offered is Elvis Presley's Executive Protection Service lapel pin. The "EPS" pin was used by the White House Police Force, and it is unlikely Elvis acquired this pin at any other time but during his historic visit with President Richard Nixon! There wasn't another in-person opportunity for him to get one of these pins from a member of the EPS at the White House. It's an incredible little artifact from one of the most famous meetings in American history. Following a decade of expanding the Secret Service's protection mission, Congress amended their mission and renamed the White House Police Force as the "Executive Protection Service" in 1970. Congress authorized the USSS Director to administer the EPS's protection of the Executive Mansion and grounds. EPS was later renamed again to the "Secret Service Uniformed Division" in 1977.
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.
The small gold colored pin shows only mild use, which makes sense since the service was brand new. Backing missing. Near Mint condition.