“08-17-77 LOS ANGELES AP - As a light rain fell, fans of Elvis Presley sat outside the black iron gate of the Holmby Hills mansion once owned by the dead star. They waited, but they didn’t know what for, and they didn’t really know why they had come.” 

Well, we did know, and the whole world knew that day after Elvis’ passing. The death of Elvis stunned and shocked the world. Music fans around the globe mourned their beloved King after that fateful day in August 1977. So many flocked to Graceland in Memphis that President Carter sent in 300 National Guard troops to maintain order as over 30,000 fans were allowed access to form a procession line through Graceland to view the casket, per Vernon Presley’s request. 

The offered collection of eight Associated Press story printouts, from August 17, 18 and 20, 1977, detail the aftermath and the anguish of a country in mourning through the accounts of the AP writers. The printouts, taken directly from the AP printers on the days of issue, emanate from an AP employee of the period. Each story measures approximately 6 inches (15.24 cm) in width and varies in length between 16 3/4 inches and 35 3/8 inches (42.54 and 89.85 cm). This is an intriguing, and at times haunting, collection. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Graceland Authenticated.

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