A vial containing a small amount of Elvis Presley’s hair was reportedly purchased for $4,160 at a celebrity memorabilia auction over the weekend.
The auction also featured items from such stars as Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, among others. It does not mark the first time Presley’s hair has been sold.
The late singer’s personal hairdresser, Homer “Gil” Gillieland, consistently saved locks of Presley’s hair through the 1970s. A strand Gillieland clipped from Presley’s head reportedly sold at a British auction for about $1,560 in 2009. A larger amount of the King’s hair sold $115,000 online in 2002.
Other Elvis memorabilia sold at auction were an x-ray of the King’s arm taken after a karate-related injury ($9,375), a leather Harley Davidson jacket matched with black Lansky Bros. tuxedo pants believed to have belonged to Presley ($41,600) and a pair of glass champagne coupes believed to have been used at Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s wedding ($312.50).
An autographed acoustic guitar and live shot of the King performing in Syracuse in 1976 did not receive any bids. The set was estimated at $15,000.
The King was only one of many celebrities represented at the Julien’s Auctions’ Sports Legends and Music Icons sale.
Also up for auction was Michael Jackson’s MTV Video Music Award for Viewer’s Choice for his legendary 1983 “Thriller” music video ($51,200), as well as a group of four pages containing the King of Pop’s handwritten lyrics to his hit song “Billie Jean” ($41,600).
A kimono style robe that the late Winehouse wore in her 2006 music video for her hit “Rehab” sold for $34,375, and a dress worn by Houston when she received her first Grammy sold for $20,480. Other items up for auction included a custom Tama drum kit used in the 1980’s by RUSH drummer Neil Peart and a Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman guitar used by David Bowie.
