London
CNN
—
When Elvis Presley’s debut album took the charts by storm in 1956, “Blue Suede Footwear” was its opening observe.
Now, the King’s very personal blue suede sneakers have bought for the princely sum of £120,000 (round $152,000) after they went up for grabs at British auction house Henry Aldridge and Son on Friday.
Bidding for the sneakers, which have been described as “an iconic lot of showbusiness memorabilia that merely transcends twentieth century in style tradition,” started at £55,000 (round $69,600).
The sneakers have been purchased by a consumer from California, Henry Aldridge and Son advised CNN.
The sneakers, that are measurement 10 and a half and stamped with the “Nann-Bush” model, have been worn by Presley each on and off stage in the course of the Nineteen Fifties, in keeping with an outline on the auction site.
Presley wore the sneakers whereas singing “I Need You, I Want You, I Love You” and “Hound Canine” on “The Steve Allen Present” in 1956, in keeping with the auctioneer, and gave them to his buddy Alan Fortas in 1958, the night time earlier than leaving for the US Army.
The sneakers have been authenticated by Jimmy Velvet, a detailed buddy of Presley and the founding father of the Elvis Presley Museum.
The lot was accompanied by a letter of authenticity hand-signed by Velvet, in addition to a letter by Fortas, which describes the occasions of the night he was given the sneakers.
“The night time earlier than Elvis’ military induction right here in Memphis, Elvis had an all night time social gathering at Graceland,” the letter says, in keeping with the public sale web site.
“Afterwards we went to the Rainbow curler rink. After we all obtained residence Elvis referred to as a few of us upstairs and was gifting away a few of his garments he didn’t suppose he can be sporting or needed when he got here again from the military. That night time Elvis gave me these blue suede sneakers measurement 10 1/2. I’ve owned these all these years,” the letter continued.
In accordance with Henry Aldridge and Son, one other iconic piece of music historical past was bought on the identical day as Presley’s sneakers.
An outfit worn by rock legend Freddie Mercury within the music video for Queen’s “I’m Going Barely Mad” made £197,000 (almost $250,000), the auctioneer advised CNN.