While you might not think the green sloping hills of Wiltshire and the glitz and glamour of Vegas have much in common, the two areas share a very special connection. In 2023, a custom-made coat worn by none other than the King of Las Vegas, Elvis Presley, was sold at auction in Devizes, Wiltshire. The leather and mink garment went under the hammer at Henry Aldrige & Son auctions, and the winning bidder paid £128,000.
Elvis Presley’s Legacy in Las Vegas
Known as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley was a massive star during the 50s, 60s and 70s and has had a lasting impact on the music industry. Although he was born and raised in Mississippi, Elvis is closely associated with Las Vegas, where he performed some of his most legendary shows.
Over the course of his career, Elvis sold over one billion records around the world and received 14 Grammy nominations. He was also one of the first performers to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Aside from singing, he was also famous for the way he danced during his performances and appeared on the big screen too.
Between 1969 and 1976, Elvis performed 636 sold-out shows at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, and he helped turn Las Vegas into the entertainment capital of the world. During his residency at the Resort and Casino, he performed two shows a night, seven days a week. Today, a bronze statue of the world-famous singer can be found in the lobby of the building, memorialising the man who became known as the King of Las Vegas.
While Elvis passed away in 1977, his legacy in Las Vegas lives on. Today, the resorts and casinos of the city are home to many Elvis impersonators and tribute acts. Couples can even get married at the Graceland or Viva Las Vegas wedding chapels with an Elvis impersonator as their officiant.
Elvis helped put Las Vegas on the map in terms of entertainment, but the city has long remained the entertainment capital of the world thanks to its mega casinos. It’s a popular destination for travellers across the US and all around the world, especially for those who love playing casino games.
While there are no drive-thru wedding chapels or casinos in Wiltshire, gambling enthusiasts can still enjoy the Las Vegas spirit from the comfort of their homes. For instance, this casino offers a wide range of games to UK players, including the popular Aloha King Elvis slot.
Elvis History Auctioned in Wiltshire
Wiltshire and Las Vegas are worlds apart, with the English county best known for Stonehenge while Las Vegas is known for the Vegas Strip and its Mega Casino resorts. However, the two worlds collided in 2023 as a piece of Las Vegas history was auctioned at Henry Aldridge & Son auctions in Devizes, Wiltshire.
The auction saw a leather and mink coat, which was custom-made and worn by Elvis Presley during the last year of his life, go under the hammer. The garment was given to the brother of his fiancée, Ginger Alden, shortly before his death in 1977 and was acquired from a client who had purchased it during an Elvis Presley auction at the singer’s former home at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Before the auction, the coat had been expected that the coat would reach around £15,000. However, it was purchased for an impressive £128,000 by a US collector. Also included in the auction was a gold, owl-shaped ring, which sold for £14,000.
It’s not the only occasion that Wiltshire has seen Elvis memorabilia auctioned. In 2022, a watch worn by Elvis on his first-ever TV appearance fetched an impressive £240,000. Meanwhile, in 2024, a pair of blue suede shoes worn by Elvis reached a hammer price of £95,000.
Final Thoughts
While Elvis may not have ever been to Wiltshire, his presence has been felt over the years thanks to his influence on the music industry and the sale of his memorabilia. Elvis Mania has died down, but people still adore the King of Las Vegas. His career left a mark on many people’s lives, and his personal items will no doubt continue to rise in price. Even long after his death, Elvis’s memorabilia is highly sought after. Collectors are willing to travel the world and pay huge sums of money to add to their collections, which shows you just how influential Elvis was.
