June 30, 2009
Elvis's consumer electronics fetch big bucks in Vegas
Photo courtesy of Julien's Auctions
Just this past weekend a couple of old, dare I say vintage, consumer electronics items went on the auction block in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The two items were a small black and white television and a clock radio.
The small Sony TV measured 10 by 8 by 8 3/4 inches. It’s a black and white picture, missing some knobs and it isn’t even clear if it still works (you’d need a converter box now too because this is most definitely an analog set). The description wasn’t clear about what the screen size was or what year it was manufactured. This TV sold at auction for $1,024.00 (including a buyer’s premium of 20 to 28%). TVs of this vintage commonly sell for less than $100 to collectors from sources such as eBay. How could this television sell for so much money? It belonged to Elvis. Apparently, this was one of Elvis’s favorite gadgets. It is reported that Elvis watched this TV constantly. Although it isn’t widely known, Elvis was a huge gadget lover and was constantly buying and using gadgets of all kinds in his spare time. Elvis gave this TV to his personal physician Dr. George Nichopoulos (otherwise known as “Dr. Nick”) when he realized that Dr. Nick needed a portable set to watch football games.
Photo courtesy of Julien's Auctions
How can a clearly obsolete television fetch over a thousand dollars at auction like this one did? When you consider that $1,000 today buys you a 46” flat screen Sony TV it is even more amazing. The answer is provenance. The fact that Elvis owned and used this TV (this has been documented as being true) before giving it to his friend Dr. Nick gives it value that far exceeds what an ordinary example of this model would fetch.
The second item that was sold at auction was a Panasonic Touch & Call clock radio. This radio had a very unique feature for its time, it could speak the time when tapped. Reportedly, this is exactly the type of gadget Elvis went crazy for. Elvis used this clock radio on his bedside for a while before he gave it as a gift to Dr. Nick. It sold at the auction for $1,000 including the 20 to 28% buyer’s premium. That’s a lot of money for an analog clock! Again, it’s all about the provenance. The fact that Elvis owned and used this clock radio makes all the difference.
So there you have it, two items that sold for many times their material due to their famous previous owner. Would you have spent that much money on a consumer electronics relic of the past or would you go for the LCD flat screen TV?
The King of Pop meets Elvis in heaven | elvis, michael, presley - Local - Dawson Column:ENCToday
The King of Pop meets Elvis in heaven
June 29, 2009 - 5:59 PM
Remember that bad storm that plowed through here on Friday afternoon? Skip Waters and all of the other local forecasters who haven't been fired because they make too much money said it was caused by a cold front, but I ain't buying it.
I think the atmospheric disturbance was caused by the heavenly meeting of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.
On paper, it would seem both of these men have a lot in common. Elvis was a worldwide superstar, had a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley and died young due to complications brought on by a drug probelm.
Michael Jackson was a worldwide superstar, was once married to Lisa Marie Presley and died young (allegedly) due to complications brought on by a drug problem.
They also both left this world as pasty white men.
When Michael passed through the pearly gates Thursday, Elvis had his driver pick Michael up in a Cadillac. When the car reached the Graceland North section of heaven, Michael got out of the car and knocked on the door. Elvis opened the door and invited him in.
"So, you're the King of Pop, huh?" Elvis inquired.
"That's right, coo pooh!" Jackson squealed in his characteristic style while gripping himself in an area I'm not allowed to mention in this family publication.
"What's with the one glove?" Elvis asked. "Fingerprints can still be lifted from the other hand."
Hearing that comment, Michael kicked Elvis in his formidable stomach and moonlighted up the side of his head. Elvis countered with a hip swivel and a karate chop that saw Jackson's nose fly right off his head.
Elvis then looked on in horror as Jackson pulled another nose out of his pocket, attached it to his face and - in the great French tradition - smacked his opponent in the face with his 5-pound sequined glove.
Just at that moment, Ray Charles busted though the door and grabbed them both by the ear.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves," Ray said. "You're both great artists, so why must you fight?"
MJ and Elvis both knew Ray was right. They shook hands and called a truce.
"Besides, neither one of you would have a career without me," Ray said. "I think I'm going to crash here for a while."
After relaxing on one of Elvis' couches, Ray said, "Michael, since you're the King of Pop, go get me a Diet Pepsi. And here's your ear back."
"How about a Diet Coke?" Jackson asked.
"Whatsit I say?" Ray said.
Ray then turned his attention to Elvis.
"Elvis, go make me one of those peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwiches you're always talking about," he said.
The three music legends then spent the rest of the day dining on manner pastiches and Diet Pepsi, which made quite a mess. As Elvis and Michael started to clean up the mess, Ray told them to sit down.
"Don't worry about the mess," Ray said. "Billy Mays will be here in a few minutes."
Jon Dawson can be reached at (252) 559-1083 or at jdawson@freedomenc.com.
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