Elvis Presley 1955 Ft. Myers, FL Sun Records-Era Concert Poster....

Description

"SPECIAL ADDED ATTRACTION"? UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR

Elvis Presley 1955 Ft. Myers, FL Sun Records-Era Concert Poster. An original red, white & blue cardboard window card advertising future world-changer Elvis Presley playing a C&W show in the middle of his Sun Records era before he'd ever appeared on a Billboard magazine chart... rock, country or otherwise. The date was May 9, 1955, and this was during the three-week Hank Snow tour documented in this year's major motion picture Elvis. Two months after this show, Elvis would enter Billboard's country singles chart for the first time with "Baby Let's Play House." But it would be almost a year before he smashed through with "Heartbreak Hotel" on RCA.

We love the way this poster breaks the mold and says "Bill and Scotty" instead of the usual "Scotty and Bill." The two Blue Moon Boys consisted of electric guitarist Scotty Moore and stand-up bassist Bill Black, of course. Drummer D.J. Fontana wouldn't join the line-up for a couple of more months.

This super-rare poster holds a very high distinction: It's the only Elvis concert poster from his Sun Records days - mid-1954 to the end of '55 - that has anyone's picture on it. All the others, including a couple sold by Heritage, are all print and no photos. That's fine, that's not bad, but some collectors insist on a photo on their concert posters. Well, there was never an Elvis concert poster made with his photo on it before he got to RCA, so this is the next best thing... a photo of the headliner, Faron Young, giving the poster some extra zip that the plain ones don't have.

Speaking of which, Country Music Hall-of-Famer Young had the #1 C&W hit in the nation right now with "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young." It was his fifth straight Top 10 hit, thus his headliner status.

As another bonus, this poster was originally obtained from the promoter's widow, Joan Lacey, after the family had held it for half-a-century. Measures 13 7/8" x 21 3/4" and grades to Very Good Minus condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: The board does have copious horizontal creasing to it, resulting in a somewhat weak constitution that is not rigid but rather flexes pretty easily in your hands. None of the red or blue inks were broken in the process, however. "Elvis Presley" does not have a crease in it, although one of the long creases runs right along the top of, and touches the red of, "ESLEY." There's also been repair work done by Chameleon Restoration which strengthened some of the creases on the verso, and restored a missing white piece on the edge to the right of "Scotty" and "Wheeler." All four corners are soft, dinged and rounded, with a few bits of missing top paper on the very tips. General toning throughout.


Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.