Elvis’ guitar used in final Vegas performance for sale Elvis Presley’s personal Martin D-28 guitar stage-used in his final Las Vegas performance is up for auction. This Martin D-28 model guitar (serial number 361827), was used by Elvis in his last Las Vegas stage performances at the Las Vegas Hilton from December 2-12, 1976. In January, 1977 Elvis presented this Model D-28 guitar to his bodyguard, Sam Thompson. The guitar features a blonde wood finish and exhibits some plastic residue on the back of the guitar body resulting from, what Elvis relayed to Thompson, a portion of the belt on his stage jumpsuit melting from the hot stage lights. Following Elvis’ death, Thompson sold the guitar in 1978 to The National Enquirer to fund his college education. The National Enquirer presented “The Elvis Guitar” to Cheryl Schmerr who won a national contest of over 60,000 entries in a well-publicized event hosted by the tabloid. The guitar, with original case, is accompanied by a notarized letter signed by Sam Thompson, along with a notarized copy of a letter from Elvis’ father, Vernon E. Presley, dated January 4, 1978, attesting that his son gave Thompson the Martin D-28 the previous year while at Graceland. Also comes with a color photograph of Elvis performing on stage with this guitar. Without question, one of the most significant guitars to ever reach the market and accompanied with exceptional provenance. The auction starts at $50,000


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Published: september 22nd 2009 10:09 PM.
Source: icollector.com / Published by: ElvisMatters - David Hamal . Reproduction of this news item is granted, on condition of reference to the source: www.elvismatters.com.