Elvis fans are set to be all shook up with news the King of Rock’n’Roll will make an appearance at this year’s Garage Sale Trail on Saturday.
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Garage Sale Trail is in its sixth year and involves over 10,000 garage sales happening around the country on the one day.
The day started to help people sell their unwanted wares and to promote environmental goals such as re-using and furthering waste education.
But original framed images of Elvis Presley, taken by his tour manager and official photographer Ed Bonja between 1970-1977, are probably not what some would expect to find on the trail.
On the insistence of his partner, Charlestown resident Adam Nicholson will be putting some of his 200-odd collection of framed photographs, collectively worth $165,000, up for sale.
They include all album covers in that period as well as images of Elvis during his ever-popular Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973, on Frank Sinatra's private plane and his last-ever concert appearance.
Nicholson came to own the collection after meeting Bonja “by mistake”.
The former hotel licensee was looking to establish a blues bar and had been collecting famous photographs and signatures.
A letter from Bonja arrived with a signed Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden, but when Mr Nicholson contacted Bonja, he was informed the signature was a fake.
From the chance encounter, Nicholson convinced Bonja to exhibit his collection in Australia and a partnership was garnered.
The Newcastle resident ended up buying the collection, which he exhibited at Wallsend Library four years ago for the 35th anniversary of Presley’s death.
Nicholson plans to exhibit again next year to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Presley’s passing.
“I don't exhibit a lot; if I make it too common people will just get sick of seeing it. I’ll exhibit every five years," he said.
The collection, which takes up the better part of a whole room at Mr Nicholson’s house, has gained plenty of interest since he bought it five years ago.
He has sold originals to Oasis front-man Noel Gallagher and has received interest from Bruce Springsteen, “a big Elvis fan”, to view the collection when he is next in Australia.
People can enquire about buying the original pictures or signed prints through iconicelvis@gmail.com
To find out where other garage sales are held in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie visit: garagesaletrail.com.au