This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2021
Offered is one of the tougher 1950's Elvis Presley souvenir items, the plaster bust produced by a German toy company. The bust was also created in a plastic version, and on the badk of those examples we find the name of the manufacturer: “Urheberrechtlich geschützt / Nachahmungen (auch teilweise) / werden strafrechtlich verfolgt / Made in Germany / T Tac.” Both the offered plaster version and other known plastic examples both were created using the exact same mold of Elvis' face. The back of the offered bust is flat with an embedded hook for display purposes. This German toy bust of Elvis from the 1950s is rarely seen and highly collectible.
Just as Elvis’ star was on the rise and his popularity exploding in 1956, Hank Saperstein and Colonel Parker ventured into the world of merchandising as another way to capitalize on this young musical talent’s newfound fame. Elvis Presley Enterprises established a line of clothing, toys, jewelry and accessories to appeal to young fans, with each piece of merchandise featuring the handsome face and name of the new star. A brilliant way to mass-market the singer while making a profit. During this period, EPE was not the only one to try and ride this wave, and the offered toy bust of Elvis is an ideal example of other attempts to capitalize on Elvis’ rising celebrity. This rare bust measures 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches and presents Near Mint condition.