Elvis Presley Spring 1956 Columbus and Dayton, Ohio Concert Flyer. ...

Description

A VERY SPECIAL HANDBILL FROM THE KING'S PRIME

Elvis Presley Spring 1956 Columbus and Dayton, Ohio Concert Flyer. A very early Elvis Presley advertising flyer for four concerts in Ohio when "Heartbreak Hotel" was the #1 single and Elvis Presley the #1 album in the country. A terrific design using the King's famous "tonsil shot" photo, which blessedly takes up ¾ of the handbill.

"Elvis Presley Plus 8 All-Star Acts," the handbill proclaims. We're sure Colonel Tom Parker wasn't involved in designing this, due to the latter five words being much bigger than Elvis's name. But this rare item has so much going for it: the great picture, the venue names, the dates and concert times, the ticket-buying locations including addresses, and the prices. It's all there.

With the two cities being only 70 miles apart, it's a good guess that one promoter handled both shows, and used joint advertising. He couldn't have known in advance how lucky he was to get the newly anointed King of Rock 'n' Roll for four concerts in his two mid-sized Midwestern cities, with a #1 album and single to boot. Great provenance on this piece, too; it originated with a woman who owned a record store in the area which sold tickets to the shows.

Heritage has had only three other examples of this terrific piece in our history, and by huge coincidence, all three times it sold for $8,750. We wish there were comparable ones made for other Elvis shows in 1956, but usually nothing was needed... he would always sell out in a heartbeat. Measures 5 ¾" x 10 ½" and grades to Near Mint condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: Handbill has only general toning throughout, with just a touch of discoloration in the lower left corner.


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