Elvis White Piano Back On The Auctionblock

Elvis White Knabe piano is back on the auctionblock. The item is sold on eBay through Gazin Auctions

The press release:

One of Elvis Presley's most storied musical instruments is going on the auction block. The King's white Knabe Baby Grand piano is now on eBay with bidding starting at $250,000. Not only was this piece played regularly by the King at his Graceland mansion, but its keys have been graced by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and even Jerry Lee Lewis among many others at different stages of its life.

The piano is being listed on eBay by Symbolic Collection, a dynamic collector of the worlds finest rarities. Robert Rios, Vice President of Symbolic believes that the winner of this auction isn't just taking home a musical instrument, but all the history surrounding it as well. "I believe this piano is one of the most important pieces of our musical culture. So many of the greats of our time made music on it and with it." Rios believes the winning bid in the auction may come from an Elvis museum, casino, restaurant, or "the ultimate" Elvis fan.

WC Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and others used it when they played at the Memphis Ellis Auditorium in the '30s, '40s and '50s. Then in 1957, Elvis bought and totally refurbished the already legendary piano exactly to his liking. The piano became the centerpiece of the Music Room at Graceland for more than a decade, being photographed with Elvis in 1965 in the first and only photographic session held there. In 1969, his wife Priscilla gave him a new gold-leafed Steinway, and the Knabe went into storage until 1976, until Vernon Presley sold it to Ted Sturges, owner of Sturges Recording Studio. Over the next five years, the piano is used during the recording of over fifty albums by various artists including Jerry Lee Lewis. It was bought in 1981 by Jimmy Velvet, who displayed it in his museum until 1990, when it went into private ownership.

From October 1996 through February 1997, C.B Coltharp, whose family owned piano business has serviced and maintained the pianos of Graceland for almost 40 years, performed a total refurbishing of the piano. Referring to old photos and records, Mr. Coltharp matched exactly, the specifications originally given by Elvis.

From Elvis Presley's music room in Graceland, serial # 70545, and refinished to Elvis' personal specifications under is direct supervision in white with gold highlighted trim; together with a piano bench, the white vinyl covered cushion on gold colored metal legs. Together with certificate of authenticity from Jack Marshall, Ron Blackood, George Klein, Ted Sturges, and C B Colthard.