Contract for the 1968 Comeback Special, one of the most significant events in Elvis’ momentous career
716. Elvis Presley. DS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, August 20, 1968. Agreement between Elvis, Colonel Tom Parker, RCA Records, and the Singer Company regarding the financial arrangements between the parties for Presley’s upcoming comeback special. In part: “Regarding the special limited edition of a Singer low price album in connection with the special promotion for this fall’s Elvis Presley Television Special…A guarantee by the Singer Company to RCA for 100,000 copies, non-returnable merchandising tie-in, with RCA as follows. Thirty five cents per copy with a guarantee of 100,000 no-returnable copies, a total of $35,000.00 payable upon shipment…Any copies sold over and above the 100,000 copies guarantee thirty five cents per copy…Payment every 90 days. The Singer Company will have a 90 day exclusive on this album. After 90 days this album is to go on the Camden label…under the terms and conditions of a $25,000.00 advance…Any music royalties or other payments due must be paid in addition to the merchandising royalty. The complete presentation of the layout must be approved by All Star Shows.” Signed on the second page in blue ballpoint by Presley, in black ink by Colonel Parker, and in blue ballpoint by Harry E. Jenkins. Impressively double suede matted and framed, with the Singer album and an informational plaque stating that this document was originally acquired at a 1999 auction at Graceland, to an overall size of 50.5 x 23. In fine condition. After a series of mediocre films and mundane songs that left Elvis’ career stagnating while artists like the Beatles and Bob Dylan dominated the charts, he was in need of a major comeback event. The 1968 television special Elvis, sponsored by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, was just that. In the mind of manager Colonel Tom Parker, the ‘Singer Special’ TV show was to be another gimmicky quick-buck performance, with Elvis wearing a Santa suit and performing Christmas songs. But Elvis and the show’s producer Steve Binder both wanted it to be a true comeback performance that would restore his musical reputation and put him back at the top of the charts. The event marked one of the only times that Elvis stood up to Parker, deciding to perform the show “Binder’s way,” singing his old hits with his old band. The result was an enormously successful TV special and a best-selling accompanying album featuring the show’s performances. A rare document signed by both Presley and Parker marking the event that put the King back at the top. Oversized. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.…(MB $300)
717. Queen. Color limited edition 10 x 14 Queen fan club promotional lithograph for Innuendo,
signed in black felt tip by Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. In fine condition, with an embossed stamp to lower left corner. Litho was a prize given out by the band’s fan club to promote their new album Innuendo. Signed items relating to the Innuendo album are quite scarce and highly prized by collectors. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.…(MB $100)
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Contemporary Music