Elvis Presley’s well-used Bible, adorned with gold stamping and bearing signs of wear, is set to go under the hammer at an auction in California this Saturday, provided a minimum bid of $37,500 is met.
This particular Bible was one of three that Presley kept on his nightstand at his Graceland mansion in Tennessee on the night of his passing in August 1977. Embossed in gold with the inscription “Elvis Aaron Presley” in capital letters, it holds a significant place among his personal possessions.
In a note accompanying the volume, Patsy Presley, his cousin, recounted the aftermath of Presley’s passing, explaining that she and her uncle Vernon (Elvis’ father) organized and packed many of his belongings. Among them were the three Bibles from his night table. “After packing them, Uncle Vernon entrusted them to me for safekeeping, eventually passing them on to me,” she wrote.
During his lifetime, Presley’s devoutness was widely recognized. Billy Stanley, the singer’s stepbrother, remembered Presley, famous for hits like “Burning Love,” as deeply connected with his faith. Stanley shared with Fox News Digital that after each performance, Presley would unwind by singing gospel tunes until dawn.
“He was spiritually attuned,” Stanley remarked. “Despite criticisms, he remained grounded in his faith, acknowledging our shared human fallibility. Living as a Christian under constant scrutiny is challenging, but Presley’s fame magnified this scrutiny. He navigated a constant internal struggle between good and evil, symbolized by the devil and God vying for his conscience.”
As per the auction company’s listing for the item, which includes images of pages from the Bible, it’s noted that the singer marked several passages within the book, among them Job 31:24-26.
Apart from the Bible, numerous other items will be up for auction this Saturday, including extravagant jewelry, guitars, and clothing. It’s noteworthy that despite being a book, the Bible stands out as one of the highest-valued items on the list. This is not unprecedented however, as another one of Presley’s Bibles fetched $94,000 USD in a 2012 sale.
An avid book reader and proud library card holder, Angela is new to the world of e-Readers. She has a background in education, emergency response, fitness, loves to be in nature, traveling and exploring. With an honours science degree in anthropology, Angela also studied writing after graduation. She has contributed work to The London Free Press, The Gazette, The Londoner, Best Version Media, Lifeliner, and Citymedia.ca.