LOS ANGELES (AFP)
The crypt in which Elvis Presley was first buried has been
withdrawn from a huge auction of sports and music memorabilia in
Los Angeles following virulent protests from the King's fans.
The crypt -- in which Presley was buried in 1997 before being
moved to his final resting place at his Graceland mansion in
Memphis -- was to be one of nearly 1,000 items belonging to
sports and music icons on offer at the weekend.
But Julien's Auctions said it had put a stop to the crypt sale
until the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis "finds a plan that best
suits the interests of the fans while respecting and preserving
the memory of Elvis Presley."
"YES WE DID IT!!" read the website ElvisMatters.com, which
organized the effort to halt the sale. "We have just proven that
fans can stand united!
"With the effort of ElvisMatters, the help of fan clubs all over
the world and the support of over 10,000 fans who signed our
petition, the crypt will remain empty -- as it should!"
Since Presley's remains were moved to Graceland, the crypt has
remained vacant.
Fans were able to snap up dozens of other items belonging to the
King at the two-day auction ending Sunday, including his personal
telephone, sold for $20,480, and a 14-carat gold necklace with
the initials "EP", sold for $31,250.
The orange-trimmed robe worn by soul singer Amy Winehouse -- who
died last year at age 27 -- in her 2006 breakout video "Rehab"
sold for $34,375. A black and pink negligee worn by Madonna on
her 1990 tour earned the same amount.
A black and white silk ensemble worn by Lady Gaga sold for
$28,125, while a pair of Michael Jackson's tap shoes went for
$5,760.
Other items belonging to the late Frank Sinatra and Nirvana
frontman Kurt Cobain, as well as Rolling Stones and Doors
memorabilia, also went under the hammer.
On the sports side, a pair of signed Air Jordan XI Concord
sneakers worn by the basketball legend Michael Jordan during the
1995-96 NBA season sold for $10,240.
New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle's rookie season baseball
card sold for $6,875, while a dollar bill signed by Babe Ruth
went for $3,437.50.
Multiple items signed by boxing legend Muhammad Ali earned
thousands of dollars.
