A cardboard figure of the King for the film "Love Me Tender," one of only two or three in existence, was valued at $10,000 - $15,000. The appraiser on Antique Road Show tells the story behind the figure, known as a standee, that was discovered in an attic:
APPRAISER: And this one's particularly important because it's his first feature-length film. And at the time, the film was actually supposed to be called "The Reno Brothers," which were the title characters. But his hit single "Love Me Tender" had already sold a million copies, so the song was so popular at this point they actually retitled the film. But because it was his first appearance, he actually got third billing in the film, which he... that never happened again, obviously, because he was such a huge star. They were made to kind of decorate the lobbies of the movie theaters when the films came to town. And they would be passed on, oftentimes to the next theater. Well, as you can see, you do have a crease right there across his neck. That's pretty common. Most of these were just in pieces by the time a film's run would be finished. The crease across the center is actually... that's how it was made. That's not an issue. They're made to fold so they can be shipped. There were reports that you couldn't hear the film because the girls in the theater were screaming so loudly, because he was such a heartthrob at that time. So I would imagine that many of these were also probably torn to shreds by fans coming out of the theater who wanted a piece of Elvis to take home. You keep this by your bed.
Here is a list of finds on more Antique Road Show episodes that are related to Elvis. If you can't bother with the link, read on:
- Elvis Presley Outfit, ca. 1970: $15,000 - $100,000
- Collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia: $10,000 to $15,000
- Elvis Presley Signed Album & Macrame Belt, ca. 1970: $7,500 - $10,000
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