The Auction at Graceland•January 8, 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/8/2020
The offered blue vinyl LP is a test pressing of Elvis Presley’s album Elvis: A Legendary Performer (Volume 1), which was released by RCA in January 1974. The compilation album consists of 12 songs and two recordings from his television appearances to make the 14 tracks. The compilation included previously unreleased material. The production of these special colored vinyl pressings, such as the offered blue vinyl example, are normally attributed to Ernie Ruggeri, VP of manufacturing for RCA. He famously had a hand in the Moody Blue LP and 45 colored vinyl pressings. These special pressings would have been done as tests or as gifts for executives and VIPs. There are reports of Indianapolis Pressing Plant employees striking a few colored vinyl records of several titles in the days that followed Elvis’ death. The vinyl’s matrix numbers and RCA labels indicate that the record was made in the original year of release, 1974, although it could have been done a bit later. The discs measure 12 inches (30.48 cm) in diameter and are accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Graceland Authenticated.
The sleeves have minor distresses, with the outer sleeve having areas of staining, but the vinyl presents with no scuffing or scratches. Vinyl is in NM condition.