Elvis Presley's fingerprints are among a host of memorabilia up for auction in London this month. Appearing on Presley's application for a concealed gun permit, the prints are thought to be the only set from the icon in existence. The memorabilia auction, entitled 'It's More Than Rock and Roll', will take place September 4 at the Idea Generation Gallery, London.
From the auction catalogue:
The only record of Elvis Presley's fingerprints that are known to exist. Elvis Presley in applying for a gun permit for a concealed weapon was asked for full sets of his fingerprints as well as other personal information. The details of which make up the State of California file copy where he records his driving license and social security numbers, his residential and his business address.
The application notes that Elvis is applying for a concealed weapon permit for his Colt revolver 38 as well as a Berette(sic) Automatic 7.6 . The document has been stamped Oct 30 1970 and is signed on the reverse side by the applicant, where he also includes details of his sex hair and eye colour, height, weight, and date of birth and full sets of prints for both left and right digits.
It is well know that Elvis would never leave the house without the protection of a weapon, he was even known to carry a small derringer in his boot whilst on stage. To obtain a fire arm he would have had to apply for a license in every state that he travelled through.
In normal circumstances these written licenses and full set of fingerprints would be filed until the owner died at the local sheriffs office and after death of the licensee would be shredded. Somehow this perfect set escaped the shredder as a testimony to one of Elvis Presley's favourite pastimes, collecting weapons.
Over the past 15 years over 300 of his hand guns and rifles have come to auction in the USA. Estimate GBP50,000-75,000 USD100000-150000