Elvis
White Knabe piano is back on the auction
block. The item is sold on eBay through
Gazin Auctions
The press release:
One of
Elvis Presley's
most storied musical instruments is
going on the auction block. The King's
white Knabe Baby Grand piano is now on
eBay with bidding starting at $250,000.
Not only was this piece played regularly
by the King at his Graceland mansion,
but its keys have been graced by Duke
Ellington,
Count Basie,
Cab Calloway and even Jerry Lee Lewis
among many others at different stages of
its life.
The piano is being listed on eBay by
Symbolic Collection, a dynamic collector
of the worlds finest rarities. Robert
Rios, Vice President of Symbolic
believes that the winner of this auction
isn't just taking home a musical
instrument, but all the history
surrounding it as well. "I believe this
piano is one of the most important
pieces of our musical culture. So many
of the greats of our time made music on
it and with it." Rios believes the
winning bid in the auction may come from
an Elvis museum, casino, restaurant, or
"the ultimate" Elvis fan.
WC Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie,
Cab Calloway, and others used it when
they played at the Memphis Ellis
Auditorium in the '30s, '40s and '50s.
Then in 1957, Elvis bought and totally
refurbished the already legendary piano
exactly to his liking. The piano became
the centrepiece of the Music Room at
Graceland for more than a decade, being
photographed with Elvis in 1965 in the
first and only photographic session held
there. In 1969, his wife Priscilla gave
him a new gold-leafed Steinway, and the
Knabe went into storage until 1976,
until Vernon Presley sold it to Ted
Sturges, owner of Sturges Recording
Studio. Over the next five years, the
piano is used during the recording of
over fifty albums by various artists
including Jerry Lee Lewis. It was bought
in 1981 by Jimmy Velvet, who displayed
it in his museum until 1990, when it
went into private ownership.
From October 1996 through February 1997,
C.B Coltharp, whose family owned piano
business has serviced and maintained the
pianos of Graceland for almost 40 years,
performed a total refurbishing of the
piano. Referring to old photos and
records, Mr. Coltharp matched exactly,
the specifications originally given by
Elvis.
From Elvis Presley's music room in
Graceland, serial # 70545, and
refinished to Elvis' personal
specifications under is direct
supervision in white with gold
highlighted trim; together with a piano
bench, the white vinyl covered cushion
on gold colored metal legs. Together
with certificate of authenticity from
Jack Marshall, Ron Blackood, George
Klein, Ted Sturges, and C B Colthard.
eBay - Elvis White Knabe Piano
Source: Email
Posted: 12th. August 2007