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Elvis' Bible Sells for $94,000 at Auction

Used underpants fail to meet reserve price

September 9, 2012 5:46 PM ET
Elvis Bible, auction, used, 1977
The Bible that was given to Elvis in 1957, which he kept until his death in 1977. It contains many handwritten notes and annotations.
Omega Auctions / Rex Features

A bible that once belonged to Elvis Presley sold for £59,000 (about $94,000) at an auction in England on Saturday, the BBC reports. The final bid was more than double the expected sale price of £25,000.

The bible had been given to Elvis in 1957 by an aunt and uncle on his first Christmas at Graceland. He used it throughout the rest of his life, and wrote down his thoughts and annotations in its pages. The winning bidder for the book did not wish to be identified, but is reportedly an American man living in the U.K. who bid against two rivals by telephone.

The bible was part of a trove of Elvis memorabilia that had been the property of one British collector. Included in the auction was a pair of stained underpants worn by Presley at a show in 1977.  Although bidding for the drawers reached £5,000, it failed to meet the reserve price of £7,000.

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