Elvis Presley’s custom-made private jet with red velvet seats is set to fetch up to £2.6MILLION at auction after lying in a plane graveyard for 30 years
Items belonging to the deceased King of Rock and Roll will go under the hammer in the US
A SLEEK private jet which once belonged to Elvis Presley could fetch up to £2.6million at auction despite being left to rust for 30 years in a plane graveyard.
The plane is one of a number of items belonging to the deceased King of Rock and Roll which will go under the hammer in the US on Saturday.
Elvis' custom-made 1962 Lockheed Jetstar is considered the rarest piece in the collection and has a starting price of just under £8,000.
The jet, which is unable to fly, remained hidden away in an "aircraft boneyard" for 30 years.
It features plush red velvet seats, red carpet and original woodwork.
It is estimated that the plane could go for between £1.5million and £2.6million.
The jet is the only plane which belonged to Elvis that is still owned privately as the other two in existence are owned by The Elvis Presley Museum.
Also available in the auction is Elvis' custom designed 4.5-carat diamond and solid 14k carat yellow gold ring which has been estimated at around £27,000.
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The items are being sold by GWS Auctions.
Brigitte Kruse, who owns the company, said: "This jet is a remarkable find and is being sold by a private collector.
"It has attracted a lot of tourists in Roswell, and it still has the original woodwork, inlay, red velvet seats and red shag carpet.
"It has the potential to be fully restored and made the centrepiece of a major exhibit.
"This is the only jet owned by Elvis that is still owned privately, he owned it with his father Vernon, from what we understand it's a very early asset.
"The first thing that came to my mind when the seller contacted me was what kind of shape the jet would be in.
Brigitte added: "It had been sitting for 30 years, so I believed it had to be dilapidated but it isn't at all.
"The owner chose the location because of the altitude and air quality so that it was not exposed to rust or oxidised.
"It's in impressive condition for being in the desert for 30 years, inside is impeccable, the engine has been taken out, but it's a perfect exhibit piece.
"Whether that's for a museum, casino or someone looking for a focal point it will be an amazing piece.
"Elvis was known for getting pieces with diamonds for onstage, this is a substantial piece compared to the others he owned."
Full list of items up for auction
- Elvis custom made private jet - starting price £7,600
- Elvis 4.5 carat diamond and 14 carat gold ring - estimated value £27,000
- Elvis museum negatives - estimated value £1,500
- Hawaii Wood mounted Elvis picture - estimated value £770
- Newspaper on the day of Elvis' death - estimated value £770
- Elvis vintage 8 track tapes - estimated value £385
- BMI award for Elvis - estimated valie £270
Other items, including negatives of Elvis, newspapers mourning his death, a Hawaii wood mounted photo, vintage tracks and a BMI award.
Brigitte Kruse made the Guinness Book of World Records last year for the 'Largest abandoned property auction in world history'.
She said: "Being the first female auctioneer to set a Guinness World Record was a big deal for me, but this is the next biggest deal now and our auction next month has even more impressive things to come.
"The jet, the ring, the stationary, papers, wood photographs all belonged to one seller his idea behind selling them all is to create an exhibit for someone."
As well as Elvis memorabilia and items, there are other famous lots set to go under the hammer.
They include handwritten memoirs from The Beach Boys and items from Tom Hanks, Nelson Mandela, Ray Charles, James Brown, Madonna, Bing Crosby and more.
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