In 1975, Elvis Presley handed his customized guitar to a stunned fan during a concert; nearly 41 years later, it sold for $334,000
According to Julien’s Auctions, Elvis Presley was partway through “See See Rider” in Asheville, North Carolina, when he stopped what he was doing and gave the guitar in his hands to a fan. The fan, Mike Harris, had come for the show and left with a customised Gibson Dove that had already been seen by a worldwide television audience. Harris kept the guitar for nearly 41 years. In May 2016, Julien’s Auctions sold it in New York for $334,000, including the buyer’s premium. Accounts offer on exactly what Presley said, as he handed it over, but the fan walked out with an instrument that had been central to the singer's stage act for several years.
Vernon Presley commissioned the guitar from Guitar City in 1969 and Elvis received it in 1971
The guitar was originally intended as a gift from Elvis’s father. According to Julien’s Auctions, Vernon Presley visited the shop called Guitar City that was situated close to Graceland in Memphis in 1969, in order to purchase a Gibson Dove guitar for his son. It was Guitar City that applied the ebony finish, while Randy Wood of Gruhn Guitar created the “Elvis Presley” inlay on the fretboard of the guitar. The guitar was given to Elvis Presley in 1971. According to Julien’s Auctions, the guitar’s black finish was meant to symbolise Elvis earning a black belt in karate and the guitar had a Kenpo Karate sticker.
The guitar was used by Elvis Presley on stage during 1971-1973, including his concert “Aloha from Hawaii”
Julien’s Auctions reports that Presley was often pictured holding the guitar during 1971 to 1973 years. The highlight of this period was Aloha from Hawaii, the concert broadcast worldwide by satellite on January 14, 1973. Artnet described the performance as the first concert broadcast globally by satellite. The Asheville show, where Presley gave the guitar away, came on the last night of the three-night run in 1975. According to Julien’s Auctions, Presley was playing “See See Rider” when he gave the guitar to Mike, who was shocked to receive the present. Just Collecting dates the concert to July 24, 1975, and the Elvis Presley Music website page for that show lists the same date.
It is unknown what exact words Elvis used. As Julien’s Auctions points out, different accounts differ and according to Artnet, Elvis is supposed to have said something like “Someday, it will help you out.” There is another report saying that he advised Mike to keep the guitar as he would need it someday because of its value. News of the gift spread fast. According to Artnet, Harris was recorded leaving the venue along with the police, as noted by Julien’s Auctions. Harris then held the guitar from July 1975 until May 2026, just under 41 years.
The guitar sold for $334,000 at Julien’s Auctions on May 21, 2016
Gibson Dove from Elvis Presley‘s estate was auctioned at Julien’s Auctions' ' Music Icon’ auction on 21st May, 2016 in New York, as reported by the BBC at the Hard Rock Cafe. The highest bid for the item was $270,000 and the total hammer price was $334,000, which includes the buyer’s premium. According to Artnet, the pre-sale estimate for the item was $300,000, so the $270,000 hammer price fell short of it and only the buyer’s premium pushed the final price to $334,000. Paul Fraser Collectibles considered this item as the second most expensive Elvis memorabilia sold until that time, the first one being the golden piano that was sold at $600,000 in the previous year.
Vernon Presley commissioned the guitar from Guitar City in 1969 and Elvis received it in 1971
The guitar was originally intended as a gift from Elvis’s father. According to Julien’s Auctions, Vernon Presley visited the shop called Guitar City that was situated close to Graceland in Memphis in 1969, in order to purchase a Gibson Dove guitar for his son. It was Guitar City that applied the ebony finish, while Randy Wood of Gruhn Guitar created the “Elvis Presley” inlay on the fretboard of the guitar. The guitar was given to Elvis Presley in 1971. According to Julien’s Auctions, the guitar’s black finish was meant to symbolise Elvis earning a black belt in karate and the guitar had a Kenpo Karate sticker.
The guitar was used by Elvis Presley on stage during 1971-1973, including his concert “Aloha from Hawaii”
Julien’s Auctions reports that Presley was often pictured holding the guitar during 1971 to 1973 years. The highlight of this period was Aloha from Hawaii, the concert broadcast worldwide by satellite on January 14, 1973. Artnet described the performance as the first concert broadcast globally by satellite. The Asheville show, where Presley gave the guitar away, came on the last night of the three-night run in 1975. According to Julien’s Auctions, Presley was playing “See See Rider” when he gave the guitar to Mike, who was shocked to receive the present. Just Collecting dates the concert to July 24, 1975, and the Elvis Presley Music website page for that show lists the same date.
The guitar sold for $334,000 at Julien’s Auctions on May 21, 2016
Gibson Dove from Elvis Presley‘s estate was auctioned at Julien’s Auctions' ' Music Icon’ auction on 21st May, 2016 in New York, as reported by the BBC at the Hard Rock Cafe. The highest bid for the item was $270,000 and the total hammer price was $334,000, which includes the buyer’s premium. According to Artnet, the pre-sale estimate for the item was $300,000, so the $270,000 hammer price fell short of it and only the buyer’s premium pushed the final price to $334,000. Paul Fraser Collectibles considered this item as the second most expensive Elvis memorabilia sold until that time, the first one being the golden piano that was sold at $600,000 in the previous year.
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