The Auction at Graceland•January 8, 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/8/2020
Part of the formula for successful records sales has always been marketing, advertising and promotion. In conjunction with the release of a new album, advertisements promoting the record would appear everywhere, including in record stores themselves. This enabled the stores to publicize the newest releases, and to get around the space limitations in the stores, the ads came in a variety of forms, including three-dimensional counter displays, double-sided ceiling hanging signs and wall posters. Offered are excellent examples of a poster advertising the RCA release of 1974 Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis and an incredible pictorial die-cut counter display from the 1981 Guitar Man release. In 1980, Felton Jarvis took a number of Elvis vocal tracks into the studio and produced the 1981 album Guitar Man. The album cover featured a handsome picture of Elvis in a cowboy hat, the image of which makes the front and back of this spectacular die-cut display. The 1974 Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis album release contained material from March 1974 concert at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis and featured an image of Graceland on the cover. The poster has a black-and-white image of this cover set against a bright red background. The pair is an ideal sampling of the promotional materials featured in record stores. The poster measures 8 by 22 inches (20.32 x 55.88 cm), the die-cut of Elvis measures 13 by 11 1/2 inches (33.02 x 29.21 cm) and the pair is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Graceland Authenticated.
The poster presents with minor edge wear along the bottom, but remains bold and bright. The die-cut's only issue is a fold at the extended hat brim, which may become loose. Excellent to Mint condition overall.