The Auction at Graceland•January 8, 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/8/2020
Similar to Elvis, Don Ho (born Donald Tai Loy Ho) served in the military before returning to his native Hawaii to help his mother, in poor health, with her business and began entertaining servicemen at their club. Don Ho enjoyed a successful local entertaining career before he was spotted by record producers, and released his first album in 1965. This debut album led to Don Ho playing for audiences in Las Vegas, New York and Lake Tahoe. He is perhaps most well-known for his hit “Tiny Bubbles” from his second album. In 1969, while both singers were playing in Las Vegas, Don Ho asked Elvis to join him on stage and requested that Elvis give him a kiss on the cheek while he was singing. Elvis obliged and just as he moved in, Don turned his face towards Elvis and cameras captured the very moment when it appeared as if the two were about to touch lips. Elvis was, as always, good humored as seen in the offered image of wide smiling, almost laughing Elvis and Don Ho on stage that night shaking hands. The image is signed by Elvis, “To the International Photo Shop / from Elvis Presley” in dark ink. This great oversized black-and-white picture that captures these two popular entertainers together on stage in Sin City is nicely framed. This image and the one that captures the two in their famous “almost kiss” are two of the most popular from that enjoyable evening in Vegas. The oversized photo measures 24 by 17 1/2 inches (60.96 x 44.45 cm), the framed display measures 27 by 21 1/2 inches (68.58 x 54.61 cm) and is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Graceland Authenticated.
The photo presents with few defects. Near Mint condition.