Elvis memorabilia exhibition opens

An exhibition of Elvis Presley memorabilia was opening to the public today.

The exhibition, titled Fingerprints of Elvis, is said to be the largest collection of privately-owned Presley artefacts outside the United States.

It includes a range of the King’s extravagant jump-suits, guitars and personal documents, including a gun-licence application featuring his fingerprints.

The memorabilia also includes dozens of the King’s early records, official merchandise and posters promoting his films and concerts.

Visitors to the exhibition, at Liverpool’s Albert Dock, can see the red tandem bicycle which Presley rode around film sets, his Harley Davidson motorcycle and his gold Mercedes 450 car.

The exhibition even boasts the original mould used to make his gravestone and a copy of his will.

Audio commentary and anecdotes are provided by Presley’s step-brother David Stanley, who grew up with the rock legend and worked as his personal aide from 1972 to 1977.

He said: “These artefacts give a phenomenal and wonderful sense of the real Elvis.

“It’s amazing to see these exhibits that actually belonged to him. You get a true sense of the individual and the impact he had on society and music in the 20th century.”

Liverpool was chosen to stage the exhibition because of Presley’s well-documented influence on the Merseybeat scene.