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Original Graceland Nativity Scene On eBay

December 22, 2007 | Other
According to the information on eBay the original life-size Nativity scene created for Elvis Presley's Graceland in 1965 is now for sale on eBay.

Currently owned by Les Birchfield and Med Phipps of Memphis, the Nativity scene was handmade by Phipps' late father and Memphis artist Hardy Phipps. Elvis' father Vernon Presley contracted with the artist to provide the annual Christmas scene and paid $1,140 for the first year's rental on Dec. 8, 1965.

The hand-painted fiberglass Nativity scene served as the backdrop for Elvis and Priscilla's 1965 photo Christmas card. The stable is a three-piece structure comprised of the roof and two supporting side pieces measuring approximately 15 feet wide. The nine figurines included in the Nativity scene are Mother Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in a manger, three kneeling wise men, one standing shepherd, one angel and one calf's head.

The angel that hung above the Holy Family was removed from the scene shortly after its debut because Elvis thought the figurine to be too shapely and inappropriate for a religious representation.
As a young man, Med Phipps helped his father Hardy assemble the scene on the grounds of Graceland each year and said the set brought much joy to Elvis and his fans.
Later, Hardy Phipps was hired to make a replica of the original Nativity scene from the original molds to replace the existing set. The replica, which currently stands on the front grounds of Graceland during this Christmas season, cost $60,000.
The following items are included in the Nativity scene:

· Mother Mary
· Joseph
· Three kneeling wise men
· One standing shepherd
· One angel
· One calf’s head
· Three-piece stable (roof and two supporting side pieces, approximately 15 feet wide overall)

For more information about the Nativity scene, visit ebay.com – item number 320198705095.

Source:PR Web
Kenneth wrote on December 22, 2007
just more people cashing in on ELVIS' good name, they know to do it now while that good name is still cashable.
Elvisnites wrote on December 23, 2007
Is this the same one they had on e-bay previously, or are they just coming out from under a rock now?
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on December 24, 2007
Does his family keep anything of him? just wondering!
Elvisnites wrote on December 24, 2007
EPE purchased the last Nativity set used. These are pieces from years of upgrades.