Elvis’ shirts bring in big bucks at auction

The shirts off Elvis Presley's back brought the highest bid in Sunday's auction of Presley memorabilia collected by Nancy Pease, the Cedar Rapids native who spent several years working for Presley in Memphis.

The sale of 166 items in Chicago brought in more than $300,000.

“There were a few items that were real amazing surprises,” said Joanne Roth, Iowa representative for Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. “There's a very global market for this.”

A shirt described in the auction catalog as “an EP monogrammed cream collared cotton shirt” brought a bid of $62,800. An “Elvis Presley Red Ultrasuede Shirt Worn” went for $34,000.

“A Large Quantity of Elvis Presley's Hair” went for $18,300.

Now living in Duluth, Minn., Pease, 64, was a nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids when she went to Memphis in 1970 to see a Presley concert. Presley hired her to care for Gary Pepper, a friend with cerebral palsy who lived near Graceland. Pease also helped Pepper run a clipping service and fan club for Presley.

In the seven years before Presley's death, Pease amassed a collection that included autographed items, clothing, personal photos and records. The hair came from Presley's first Army haircut.

Telephone bidders from Russia and England participated in the auction, drawn by what will probably be one of the last authentic collections of items once personally held by Presley.

“This one was really important because it was direct from Elvis to Gary,” Roth said. “It's probably the last one of those type of auctions.”