Graceland questions authenticity of Elvis memorabilia sold by auction house with ties to Priscilla Presley
When Graceland boss Joel Weinshanker discovered that an auction house was planning to sell one of Elvis’ old jackets, he was immediately suspicious.
When Graceland boss Joel Weinshanker discovered that an auction house was planning to sell one of Elvis’ old jackets, he was immediately suspicious.
The black grommet jacket was a one-of-a-kind item worn by Elvis in 1972, Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, said. But the thing was, that very jacket was hanging up in Graceland’s private collection.
“We know there was only one made, and guess what? We have it in our archives,” Weinshanker said in an interview at Elvis’ former home in Memphis, where NBC News was shown the black jacket and the receipt for its purchase.
GWS Auctions, the California company behind the 2023 auction of the jacket, has made a name for itself by selling Elvis memorabilia. Its owner, Brigitte Kruse, formed a relationship with Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, and has even acted as her power of attorney.
But the jacket was not an anomaly, according to Weinshanker, who oversees the largest collection of Elvis memorabilia. Graceland is raising concerns about other items GWS Auctions has put up for auction — including a private jet and several pieces of jewelry.
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