Revision Album Sales By 1 Million
A recent revision in the calculation of certified albums in the U.S. for The King of Rock and Roll has resulted in an increase of 1 million in Elvis Presley album sales. Elvis Presley's official album sales in the U.S. as reported by the RIAA have increased to 135.5 million from the previously reported figure from January 2015.
The discrepancy of 1 million units in Elvis Presley's U.S. album total was found in an error in the calculation of his EP sales which are weighted differently than LPs. Elvis had 16 EPs that were certified either Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum.
The discrepancy was discovered by Trina Young while doing research for her upcoming book “Elvis: Behind The Legend” researching the record sales of Elvis Presley and The Beatles, she decided to manually add up the units of record sales for both The Beatles and Elvis Presley's LPs, EPs and singles according to the RIAA calculation rules. The RIAA includes the sales of certified EPs, also called Shortform albums, in their album totals for each artist. But the EPs, which usually contain 3 to 5 songs, are not weighted the same as LPs, which usually contain 10 to 12 songs.
She noticed that an error on the RIAA searchable website database in the weighting figure for Presley's Multi-Platinum EP sales had resulted in an underreporting of 1 million units. In response, the RIAA acknowledged in email correspondence that they were going to revise the figures regarding Multi-Platinum EPs and that Elvis Presley's total would increase as a result.
On July 16, 2015, the RIAA then revised the Elvis Presley album total on their website to reflect the most accurate record sales. For less than a week, Elvis Presley had moved ahead of Garth Brooks to be the best-selling solo artist in terms of album sales with the revised figure of 135.5 units sold in the U.S. The Beatles are the best-selling group and best-selling artist overall with 178 million albums sold, and Garth Brooks was in third place at 135 million.
However, just 5 days later on July 21, the RIAA awarded Garth Brooks another 1 million in album sales, bumping him up a half million ahead of Elvis Presley again. The RIAA did not make any official statement about the increase of either Presley or Brooks.
Atlanta Loves Elvis
Graceland Auction
The Auction At Graceland, starts at 7:00 PM CST on August 13, 2015. Elvis touched the hearts and lives of fans across the globe, and our goal for the Elvis Week 2015 Auction at Graceland was to include artifacts from across the spectrum of collecting, including items owned by Elvis, gifted by Elvis, written by Elvis, used by Elvis and created to promote the king and his career. Here are a few lots for example:
Lot 39: Elvis Presley Light Blue "Starburst" Jumpsuit
Estimated Price: $100,000 - $150,000
Sometimes tragedy becomes serendipity, as is the case with this Elvis Presley stage-worn jumpsuit from his 1973 Las Vegas Hilton shows and concert tours. With its parts damaged, disassembled and then reunited after decades, it has emerged as a complete and original stage worn artifact from the peak of Elvis' 1970's performing career.
Lot 85: Elvis Presley Jacket from the Viva Las Vegas Dance Scene with Ann-Margret
Estimated Price: $30,000 - $50,000
The offered jacket is one of two created by Sy Devore, noted Hollywood wardrobe designer, for Elvis Presley to wear during this now legendary dance scene with Ann-Margret in the 1964 MGM classic Viva Las Vegas.
Lot 118: September 11, 1970 Elvis Presley "In Person" Concert Poster
Estimated Price: $4,000 - $6,000
Used to promote stops on Elvis Presley's September 1970 tour, these venue-specific posters are few and far between, especially in such an exemplary state of preservation. In true Colonel style, the upper portion, graced by Elvis' iconic portrait, was kept purposely generic and was printed on lighter weight paper in greater quantities. These could be used or sold anywhere Elvis was touring.
Lot 112: 1970 Elvis Presley Signed Oversized Concert Souvenir Photo
Estimated Price: $2,000 - $4,000
This rare 1970 promotional photo has been signed by Elvis "To Diane Best Wishes Elvis Presley." Always the conscientious signer, Elvis saw fit to find the lightest area of the photo leaving a very readable result.
During the auction, private Elvis Presley related items, each authenticated by the staff at “Graceland Authenticated” are offered to the general public. Other items of note that will be auction this month include:
- Million Dollar Quartet Signed Guitar with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis signatures (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- “TCB” Diamond and Gold Necklace gifted to Sammy Davis Jr. by Elvis Presley (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- 1956 Elvis Presley Double-Signed Transfer Agreement moving 15 Songs to Gladys Music (Estimated $20,000-30,000)
- Elvis Presley Owned and Worn Gold Owl-Shaped Ring gifted to a fan from the stage (Estimated $15,000-20,000)
- 1969 Elvis Presley Handwritten Signed Letter to Gary Pepper discussing the inaugural show at the International Hotel (Estimated $10,000-15,000)
- Elvis Presley Signed Shirt from his personal wardrobe provided as the Grand Prize in a 1973 Boy Scout raffle (Estimated $8,000-12,000)
- 1968 Elvis Presley Film-Worn Jacket from “Live a Little, Love a Little” (Estimated $7,000-10,000)
- 1957 Elvis Presley Enterprises Elvis Presley Doll in rare original box (Estimated $7,000-10,000)
- 1971 Elvis Presley Signed Martial Arts Card with fingerprints (Estimated $5,000-7,500)
- Elvis Presley’s Personal Walther Model PPK/S 9mm Kurz Handgun ornately engraved “Elvis” and “TCB (Estimated $100,000–125,000).
More at: Click here for the site for the auction event.
(Source: Amazon / FECC / Elvis On CD / Invaluable)