Elvis's will among memorabilia to go under hammer

(PA)

Memorabilia belonging to Elvis Presley is to go under the hammer, it was announced today.

Among the items being sold is a copy of the king of rock and roll's will, a strand of his hair and a scarf he wore at one of his shows.

The collection is expected to sell for several thousands of pounds when it goes under the hammer on Saturday at Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said there is now a lot of interest in Elvis memorabilia with a number of prominent objects having been sold around the world for significant sums in the past few years.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of Elvis, who died in 1977 aged 42.

"The lots going under the hammer will offer collectors around the world the chance to own their own piece of Elvis history," Mr Aldridge said.

"Elvis's last will and testament dates from the mid 1970s and originated from the law office that represented one of the Presley family members in the matter.

"In 1987 the lawyers purged their files and an employee of the firm took them from the trash and was told by the owner he could keep them.

"Marked 'deceased', this is a file copy of this document from the mid 1970s and would have been used extensively during that traumatic period in 1977."

The will shows various clauses, such as instructions concerning personal property, provision of a trust for his children and proceeds from royalties.

"It gives the reader a fascinating insight into the private wishes of the king of rock and roll," Mr Aldridge said.

It is estimated to sell for between £500 and £1,000.

Other rare and unusual items being sold include a scarf worn by Elvis on stage in the Mid South Coliseum in 1975, bedding from Elvis's Circle G Ranch with its original laundry tag attached bearing the name "Presley" and an original royalties statement.

Also going under the hammer is an original page from the flight logbook for Elvis's private passenger jet, The Lisa Marie, for a flight he took for a concert at the Cleveland Coliseum on October 23 1976.

A 12mm strand of hair from 'The King', mounted in frame, with his photograph and a certificate of authenticity are also being sold.