Lock of Elvis Presley's hair up for grabs at Staffordshire auction

A few strands of dark hair from the singer are set to go under the hammer in a music memorabilia sale at Hansons Auctioneers on November 19, with a guide price of between £4,000 and £6,000.

The hair was collected by one of the star's hairdressers, Homer Gilleland, and attached to a souvenir card which states: "This card contains a lock of hair from the King of Rock and Roll as cut by Mr Gil of Memphis, memories of which in future years yours they will always be – Elvis 1935-1977."

It is being sold, together with a racquetball used by Elvis, by 75-year-old lifelong fan and retired building site manager Tom Unwin.

He said: “I bought the hair about 10 years ago and the racquet in 2002 from a man who was running an Elvis fan club I belonged to. I have been a huge Elvis fan since I was 15.

"I’ve collected memorabilia all my life – everything you can imagine to do with Elvis. I’ve been to his home in Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, a few times and met members of his band and his wife Priscilla Presley. She was fantastic.

Treasured

“I’m selling now because I’ve had so much enjoyment from showing my Elvis memorabilia to friends over the years. I would like others to experience that same enjoyment.”

The racquetball racquet, which also has a guide price of £4,000-£6,000, comes with a letter of provenance from Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis’s famed inner circle called the ‘Memphis Mafia’.

Claire Howell, music memorabilia valuer at Hansons, said: “What incredible Elvis mementos these are, treasured by a true fan for many years. Hair has always been a wonderful keepsake as it lasts forever. For any Elvis fan, here’s an opportunity to own a little piece of the legend more than 40 years after his premature death at the age of 42.

“Elvis is the King of Rock and Roll. He was one of the most talented and charismatic singers of all time, a cultural icon of the 20th century. He had an enormous impact on the music industry and became famous as an actor, starring in many films.

“But his hair had an impact on the world, too. He was renowned for paying great attention to his famous locks, which were actually blond. At a time when men didn’t dye their hair, he used gel, hairspray, colour - whatever it took - to achieve his rockabilly look. The girls swooned and, thanks to Elvis, a hair salon for men opened in Hollywood, unheard of back then. He was a ground-breaker in more ways than one.”

The uctionis being heal at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, near Stafford. For more information, email chowell@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk