Elvis Presley Owned and Used Ornate Silver Pill Box

Offered is a small, rather ornate silver pill box owned by Elvis Presley. The box's small handle is marked "800", indicating its relatively high silver content. One of the advantages of "800 silver" is that it's more durable than the higher-purity alternatives. This is one reason why there is a lot of 800 silver spoons, knifes, and other items that require regular handling, like a pill box owned by Elvis. The pill box is a personal accoutrement a bit strange to us today, but in the middle and early part of the 20th century, it was commonplace for one to carry the small container for the odd medication. Elvis' pill box 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 pill box is accompanied by a letter from noted collector Tom Salva detailing his acquisition of the pill box 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. The box measures 1 3/8 x 1 inches and presents with moderate to heavy wear. Excellent condition.