Presented is a 10-inch RCA Reference Recording 45 RPM acetate of Elvis Presley's song "It's Now or Never" and "I Gotta Go". This particular copy belonged to Elvis personally, and it only exists because while he was in the process of throwing away several dozen acetates at Graceland, Harold Loyd saved a few from the trash bin and gave several to Jimmy Velvet, who happened to be on hand, and several to the Pritchett girls Donna and her sister, including the offered acetate. Donna also received Elvis' acetate for "Are You Lonesome Tonight" which was sold in the January 2021 Rockhurst Auction. Now is the opportunity to put the pair back together!
Jimmy Velvet, the Elvis world's own Zelig, was not only there to witness the acetates' salvation secured, he had actually been at the studio when the song was being recorded by Elvis! The copy of his accompanying letter details the coincidence and the acetates being saved:
This 45 rpm acetate "It's Now or Never" was recorded by Elvis Presley at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee on April 3rd and 4th, 1960. I was at the session which was just 13 days after Elvis was discharged from the Army on March 20, 1960. It was a great session, and I remember it well. A couple years later while I was talking with Elvis' cousin, Harold Loyd, also Gate Keeper at Graceland, Elvis told Harold to take a stack of acetates to the gate and give them to fans. He gave me four or five of them and gave Donna Pritchett a couple, too. (Donna is Elvis' cousin and daughter of Nash Presley, Vernon's sister.) This incredible acetate is one of those given to Donnna that day and is one of the best.
Below the mounted acetate in the framed display is a plaque that reads "ELVIS PRESLEY'S PERSONAL ACETATE FROM GRACELAND "IT'S NOW OR NEVER" & "I GOTTA GO." Included is a snapshot of Donna Presley presenting the acetates to a collector in the 1990s. Also with the acetate is a copy of an "Authenticity Certificate" from Donna Presley given to the collector.
The acetate measures 10 inches in diameter and is framed to an overall size of 18 x 21 inches. It presents permanently adhered to the matting of the framed display. It's possible it could be removed by a professional, but there will at minimum be remaining adhesive on the reverse. The front of the record presents with moderate scuffing and scratches. Good condition.