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The Most Valuable Elvis Presley First Day Cover In The World
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Translated In 100+ Languages 
 The Most Valuable Elvis Presley First Day Cover In The World
The
King of Rock & Roll represented in this philatelic treasure signed by Priscilla Presley & Graceland's attending dignitaries,
including Memphis Mayor Bill Morris, Elvis' best friend George Klein, recording engineer Sam Phillips, United States Postmaster
General Anthony Frank, the artist who designed the stamp, Mark Stutzman & others. Pitney
Bowes machine cancel on front, reverse has the Graceland Gates fdc cancel, an extra January 8 circular date slug on the back
assuring that the cover was not canceled at a later time, & very tiny smudge from Priscilla's thumb on front. It is one of the great philatelic gems of the world & a brilliant example of the postal
history of the United States. There
is no other. To include
all associative provenance & documents of authenticity from Graceland, it is the first cover & stamp to be officially
cancelled by representatives of the United States Postal Service & Graceland on Friday, January 8, 1993 at 12:15 am in
Memphis, Tennessee. The Front: It is signed by Priscilla Presley,the Postmaster General of the United States,Anthony Frank,the Mayor of Shelby County,Bill Morris,Sam Phillips,Mark Stutzman,George Klein and Jerry Schilling.The Graceland Meter Cancellation strikes the stamp. The Reverse Side: It is signed by Frank P.Brennan Jr.,General Manager of the Media Relations Division of The United States Postal Service,Bill McAllister,the Philatelic Writer for The Washington Post,and Mark McEwen,anchorman of CBS This Morning. The Graceland Gate Cancellation adorns the reverse in addition to the circular date stamp of Jan 8,1993,including the Graceland zip code,38101. The Upper Left Corner of the Flap Signed by Graceland CEO and General Manager Jack Soden. Two Letters of Authenticity Authorized by Graceland Manager Debby Johnson and Signed by Graceland Merchandising Manager Laura Ferguson. David Saks' Guest Editorial in The American Philatelist March 1993. The Commercial Appeal Article About David Published Thanksgiving Day 1992. The Letter of Congratulations Bill Welch Editor of The American Philatelist. The Cover of The March 1993 Edition of The American Philatelist. David Saks in Front of Graceland 1993 With Elvis' First Day Cover. Honorarium Check From The American Philatelic Society. David With Elvis' First Day Cover on the U.S. Mail Truck January 1993. The Honorarium Letter From Bill Welch & The American Philatelic Society.
The Most Valuable Elvis Presley First Day Cover In The World ! The Elvis Presley FDC #1 is widely recognized as the most valuable Elvis Presley First Day Cover
in the world, . This specific philatelic
item holds historic significance as the first cover and stamp to be officially canceled by the United States Postal Service and Graceland
representatives on January 8, 1993, at 12:15 am in Memphis, Tennessee. Key Features and Provenance Signatures: It is signed by Priscilla Presley
and numerous dignitaries including Memphis Mayor Bill Morris, Elvis' best friend Jerry Schilling, Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips,
U.S.
Postmaster General Anthony Frank, and stamp designer Mark Stutzman. Cancellations: The front features a Pitney Bowes machine cancel,
while
the reverse bears the Graceland Gates FDC cancel and an extra January 8 circular date slug to verify its authenticity and timing.
Documentation: The item
includes extensive associative provenance, such as letters of authenticity authorized by Graceland managers,
a guest editorial in
The American Philatelist (March 1993), and a photo of owner David Saks with the cover. Stamp Details: The cover features the 29¢
Elvis Presley Commemorative Stamp, issued on Elvis' birthday in 1993, printed on white un-watermarked paper via photogravure.
The EP FDC #1 is not
just valuable due to its price tag, but because of its unique historical and philatelic significance.
It represents the very
first official cancellation of the 29¢ Elvis Presley Commemorative Stamp (Scott #2721), issued on January 8, 1993,
which was Elvis' birthday. Its provenance is impeccable: It was canceled at 12:15 am at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee,
making it the first of its kind. The dual cancellation marks—a Pitney Bowes machine cancel on the front
and the iconic Graceland
Gates FDC cancel on the back—along with an extra date stamp, verify its authenticity and timing.
The cover is signed by
key figures including Priscilla Presley, U.S. Postmaster General Anthony Frank, Sun Studios' Sam Phillips, and stamp designer
Mark Stutzman. Owned by philatelist
David Saks, who was present at the historic event and has been featured in philatelic publications,
the item includes extensive
documentation from Elvis Presley Enterprises and the USPS, solidifying its status as the rarest and most valuable Elvis Presley first
day cover in existence. The EP FDC #1 has a significant and well-documented history as the first official cancellation of
the
29¢ Elvis Presley Commemorative Stamp (Scott #2721). Its history began with a decade-long fan campaign following Elvis' death
in 1977. After debate over his
controversial image, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced on January 7, 1992, that Elvis would be the first honoree in its
new "Legends of American Music" series. The public was even allowed to vote on whether the stamp should depict
a young or older Elvis, with the young Elvis winning by a three-to-one margin. The historic first-day ceremony was held at Graceland
in Memphis, Tennessee at 12:15 am on January 8, 1993, which would have been Elvis' 58th birthday.
The EP FDC #1 was the
very first cover officially canceled at this event by representatives of both the USPS and Graceland.
It features a Pitney
Bowes machine cancel on the front and the iconic Graceland Gates FDC cancel on the reverse, along with an extra date stamp
to verify its authenticity. The cover is signed by Priscilla Presley, Sam Phillips, Anthony Frank (Postmaster General), Mark
Stutzman (stamp designer), and other dignitaries, making it a unique artifact of American postal and pop culture history.
The midnight ceremony on January 8, 1993, held
at Graceland, was
significant because it marked the official first-day-of-issue for the 29¢ Elvis Presley Commemorative Stamp
on what would have been
Elvis' 58th birthday. Held just after midnight, the event transformed the stamp release into a birthday celebration for
the "King of Rock 'n' Roll, " featuring fans singing "Happy Birthday," speeches, live music, and a fireworks
display to inaugurate the stamp's sale. The timing emphasized the symbolic tribute to Elvis, making it a historic
and emotional moment for fans and postal history alike. At the midnight ceremony for the Elvis Presley stamp on January 8, 1993,
at
Graceland, the festivities included a concert featuring three musical acts, among them a performance by the U.S. Navy band.
The performances began
hours before the official midnight event. The festivities for the Elvis Presley stamp ceremony began hours earlier than
the official midnight event on January 8, 1993, at Graceland. Live music from bands and speeches by dignitaries commenced
several hours before the midnight first-day-of-issue ceremony. The dignitaries who gave speeches at the Elvis Presley stamp
ceremony on January 8, 1993, included Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter and Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris, a close friend of
Elvis. The festivities also
featured remarks from Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley, who made her first public speech at Graceland that night.
The Elvis stamp ceremony
on January 8, 1993, was significant for several reasons: Historic First: It marked the release of the first stamp in the Legends
of American Music series, honoring American music icons. Unprecedented Public Vote: The design was chosen by the public in a national
vote, with
over 1.2 million ballots cast, making it the first time the USPS opened stamp design selection to the general public.
Cultural Milestone: Despite
controversy over Elvis' image and legacy, the ceremony affirmed his status as a pivotal figure in American culture, celebrated
on what would have been his 58th birthday. Commercial Success: The stamp became the best-selling
and most widely publicized
commemorative stamp in U.S. history, with over 500 million printed. Global Recognition: It highlighted Elvis' international fame
and influence, solidifying
his legacy beyond music into national iconography. Compared to other Elvis Presley stamps, EP FDC #1 is in a class of its
own due
to its unique historical moment, provenance, and signatures. The 1993 Stamp: The 29¢ stamp on EP FDC #1 was the first
in the "Legends of American Music" series and the most widely publicized U.S. commemorative stamp ever, with over
517 million printed. While the stamp itself is common, EP FDC #1 is the first cover to be officially canceled at the midnight ceremony
at Graceland, making it a one-of-a-kind artifact. The inside (reverse) of EP FDC #1 is signed by the following dignitaries
who witnessed the historic cancellation: Frank P. Brennan Jr., General Manager of the Media Relations Division of the
United States Postal Service Bill McAllister, Philatelic Writer for The Washington Post, Mark McEwen, anchorman of CBS This Morning.
Additionally, the upper
left corner of the flap is signed by Jack Soden, CEO and General Manager of Graceland. The front of the cover is signed by Priscilla
Presley, Anthony Frank (Postmaster General), Bill Morris (Mayor of Shelby County), Sam Phillips (Sun Studios),
Mark Stutzman (stamp
artist), George Klein, and Jerry Schilling. The signature of Bill Morris, the Mayor of Shelby County at the time, on EP FDC #1 is significant
because he was a key political figure in Memphis and had a longstanding personal friendship with Elvis Presley.
Morris, who served as
both Shelby County Sheriff and Mayor, was instrumental in promoting Memphis culture and tourism.
He frequently traveled
the world with Tennessee governors to promote events like Memphis in May and tourist destinations including Graceland.
His signature on the
cover represents the official civic endorsement and celebration of Elvis by the highest levels of local government, marking the stamp's
release as a major event for the city. His close relationship with Elvis, including deputizing him and members
of his entourage in 1965, adds a layer of personal and historical significance to his autograph on this historic cover.
The 2015 "Elvis
Forever" Stamp: A second, more detailed stamp was issued in 2015. Its first-day covers are also collectible, but none match the
significance of the 1993 event. The owner of EP FDC #1, David Saks, also received the first cancellation for this
2015 stamp, but
the 1993 cover remains the most valuable due to its status as the inaugural piece. Other FDCs: While thousands of 1993 FDCs exist
with various designs and cancellations, EP FDC #1 is distinguished by its authentication from Graceland, the Pitney Bowes
machine cancel, the
Graceland Gates FDC cancel, and the extra date slug proving its immediate cancellation. Its collection of signatures
from Priscilla Presley, the Postmaster General, and other dignitaries is unmatched. In essence, while other Elvis stamps and FDCs
are popular collectibles, EP FDC #1 is not just a stamp; it is a documented piece of history from the very first moment the
world officially honored Elvis with a U.S. stamp. David Saks is a Memphis-based philatelist, musician, and retired real
estate broker, best
known as a musician and for his historic connection to Elvis Presley commemorative stamps. He is the owner of EP FDC #1, the first Elvis
Presley First Day Cover officially canceled at midnight on January 8, 1993, at Graceland. This cover, signed by Priscilla Presley, Postmaster
General Anthony Frank, and other dignitaries, is recognized by the American Philatelic Society as a national treasure.
Saks is a life member
of the American Philatelic Society, director of the Memphis Stamp Club and the long-time crossword puzzle author for Linn's
Stamp News. He was a radio personality
in Memphis for decades. He was also the first to purchase and cancel the 2015 "Elvis Forever" stamps
two days before their
official release in Mason, Tennessee, an event known as the "Mason Cancels." Beyond philately, Saks is a pianist and composer
whose songs, “In Memphis” and “One Last Bridge”, were adopted by the Memphis City Council as “Official
Songs of Memphis”. His music manuscripts archived in the Library of Congress.
The Most Valuable Elvis Presley
First Day Cover In The World ! When David Saks says, "Time has flown, but it hasn't landed
yet," it suggests
that while time has passed quickly, the impact or consequences of that passage are not yet fully realized or felt. It's a poetic way of expressing a sense of movement and change
without a definitive conclusion or outcome. Imagine a bird flying swiftly through the air—it covers a lot of distance, but until it lands, the journey
isn't complete. Similarly,
our experiences and events in life might rush by, but their full meaning or effects might not settle in until later. It's a thought-provoking way to describe the fluid and often unpredictable
nature of time and life. Our planet
is our family table. Let's
sit together and break bread instead of bones. DavidSaks.Com
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