Graceland Questions Authenticity of Elvis Memorabilia Auctioned

An auction house specializing in Elvis Presley memorabilia is under scrutiny from Graceland executives, who have raised questions about the authenticity of some of its items.

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Joel Weinshanker, a managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, shared his concerns with NBC News regarding GWS Auctions, the auction house owned by Brigitte Kruse. Kruse is also named in a lawsuit filed by Priscilla Presley earlier this week, alleging financial elder abuse.

Suspicion arose when Weinshanker noticed a black grommet jacket listed for sale, which was claimed to have been worn by Elvis in 1972. However, he identified the jacket as part of Graceland’s private collection.

“We know there was only one made, and guess what? We have it in our archives,” Weinshanker said. NBC News confirmed this by visiting Elvis’ Memphis estate and viewing the jacket along with its receipt.

Other items from GWS Auctions under scrutiny include several pieces of Elvis’ jewelry and a private jet. Graceland executives assert that Elvis never flew on the jet and only owned it for a few months.

Concerns also arise with items attributed to Elvis being sold, accompanied by authentication letters supposedly written by Priscilla Presley. Graceland’s representatives argue some of these items belonged to Elvis after his divorce from Priscilla, casting doubt on the legitimacy of these claims.

“If they hadn’t talked for months and months and months in person, how does she [Priscilla] know what Elvis did and didn’t do?” Weinshanker told NBC News.

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Weinshanker emphasized that Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, meticulously kept a record of all of the singer’s finances, providing a reliable source of verification for the authenticity of items attributed to Elvis.

“Because he had some trouble with the law early on in his adult life, he [Vernon] kept everything, every receipt,” Weinshanker explained. “You come to us and say, ‘What did [Elvis] do on this day in 1962?’ We [Graceland] pretty much know what he did just by how he spent money.”

Kruse acknowledged the family’s diligent record-keeping but expressed skepticism about the possibility of every item being accounted for.

“We weren’t there. None of us were there,” she said in a previous interview. “So how can they without a doubt, unequivocally say, ‘We have everything?’ It’s an impossibility.” She added that if Priscilla’s personal recollections aren’t worth anything, then whose are?

Over the years, Kruse has reportedly been assisting Priscilla with her finances and acting as her power of attorney, relying on the deep bond they had developed. However, their relationship has recently turned contentious, evidenced by Priscilla’s countersuit following a lawsuit Kruse filed last year. Kruse accused Priscilla of breaching a contract linked to the exclusive management of her name, image, and likeness rights.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to representatives for Graceland, Priscilla, and GWS Auctions for further comments.

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