Elvis. Elvis Presley, Elvis Aron Presley. Elvis Aaron Presley.

There will never be another like him. He MASTERED any/every "type" of entertainment whether it was movies, tv, documentary, music, memorabilia, collectibles, concert performances, Las Vegas, etc. The man (literally) gave his life....for his fans.

During the "heyday" of the Beatles, talk about "competition" - and there will NEVER be a band as talented as the Beatles either, Elvis was in the middle of his movie contract commitments...until 1968. Out of the "blue" Elvis recaptured his "critical crown" of the King of Rock and Roll and it was well deserved.

Back on "point" Elvis was also the most photographed man/entertainer/celebrity who ever lived as well. I could write "page after page", novel after novel, etc. listing his accomplishments but it would take me...a lifetime to fully honor what he did - how he lived - what he believed - etc.

In spite of Elvis' passing, sadly on August 16, 1977, OVER thirty years now Elvis STILL outsells - outmarkets - outearns most every "artist/entertainer"....today. Hence, Elvis status/recognition continues to grow at a "higher percentage of overall sales volume" each and every year since 1977!

Elvis "overall commercial sales" are even "outpacing" the (much higher) "US population increase" (i.e. population of US Citizens in 1977 versus US Citizens in 2008) as stated by the US Census Bureau estimates (pertaining to population in 1977 versus record sales compared to population in 2008 versus record sales). This is UNHEARD of for a person to continue to "add" new fans, retain the existing fan base, while being "relevant" so long after one has "passed away".

Elvis sold MILLIONS of records when the US Population was 50 million people. Elvis sold MILLIONS of records back when being awarded a "gold record" meant sales of one million copies or more - versus the "watered down standard" of today of "half a million records shipped".

Even though it is an "apples versus oranges" comparison (i.e. population of 2008 versus 1977 has almost DOUBLED and has TRIPLED since 1956) Elvis' record sales would NEVER be "touched" if the standard was "number of record sales versus US Population"...based upon a percentage (i.e. an example would be if Elvis sold 50 MILLION records in 4 years and over that 4 year period the US Population was 50 Million - the "percentage" would be 100% over that 4 year period - therefore an "artist" today would have to, in order to "compare" to Elvis, sell 300 MILLION records over a 4 year period to equal Elvis' 100% percentage of sales as the US Population is over 300 million today).

Isn't it AMAZING that with the US Population "exploding" that "artists" today are awarded a "gold record" for ONLY (not to minimize their accomplishments but to put it in a "historical perspective") a "half a million"?

It is "standard" procedure today for a "hot performer" to (maybe) tour for 5 months in a year...once every four years. MAYBE they would sell out...maybe not. Elvis SOLD OUT from 1969 through 1977 and he "averaged" OVER 200 concerts per year. Can you even imagine that? What kind of "toll" would that take on the human body? Between the "lack of sleep", different bed every night, having to "get up" for the crowds, the constant flash bulbs going off, jet lag, etc.

All things "considered" it is my "opinion" that NO ONE will ever come close to "equalling" the accomplishments of Elvis...period.

Now, to the subject at hand. Elvis photos.

They come in all "shapes, sizes, dimensions, etc.". They are available all over the Internet and flea markets, classifieds, etc. The "cool" thing about each of these Elvis photos is/are that Elvis was constantly...changing.

His weight changed. His look changed. His focus changed. His relationships changed. His priorities changed. Each and every Elvis photo has a...story behind it. No matter how many years/decades/generations pass, since Elvis died, the fact remains that one may "discover" new photos of Elvis (note: as recently as a few months ago new photographs of Elvis concert at Madison Square Garden were released)...their won't be any "new" photos taken of Elvis after (sadly) August 16, 1977.

Having been a SERIOUS Elvis Collector, for almost forty years (40) now, I believe that any/every Elvis "fan" should collect Elvis Memorabilia/Collectibles...at their own pace and within their own monetary criteria.

With that said it is IMPORTANT, in my opinion when you are looking to purchase Elvis photo's, to start with "topics" that you are already familiar with (concerning Elvis) such as; movies, 50's, concerts, television, candids, etc. If you don't start with some "criteria" you can (literally) be "overwhelmed" with choices.

When starting to collect/purchase Elvis photos you should start out with a "desired list" such as "Elvis in the 60's" or "Elvis in the 70's", or whatever topic you like. Then you should set a budget which should include the price of the photo, shipping costs, handling costs, taxes, etc. You should do a "per picture" budget as well as an "overall weekly - monthly - annually budget".

You then should go for QUALITY. Yes, quality. A lot of individuals/sellers/etc. list their Elvis Photos as "original" and they are, in fact, NOT the original. The reason why they do this is either (a) they are using the term "original" to mean that the print they are offering has been printed on "original paper" even though it is NOT the "original" OR (b) they know that by saying it is "original" that people will pay more for the photo OR (c) they don't know/care enough to properly disclose the details of the photograph.

A great "rule of thumb" is that UNLESS you are given the ORIGINAL NEGATIVES of the photo (along with an original signature from the Seller stating that they own the rights to the photograph) OR a US Copyright sworn statement declaration...the "odds" are 99.9% that you are in fact purchasing a COPY...and not the original.

By the way there is NOTHING wrong with purchasing a copy as the vast majority of ALL prints are, in fact, copies. However you have to ask yourself IF the Seller really owned the rights to an ORIGINAL Elvis photo (of any year, of any category, etc.) why in the world would they "sell their rights away" for $ 5.00 or $ 10.00 or even $ 500.00? There are SO MANY books, movies, TV specials, ads, etc. that are new/out every year the demand for ORIGINAL Elvis media (i.e. videos, prints, photographs, etc.) is....staggering.

Now that you realize that the odds are that you are buying a COPY of a photo, and NOT the original - regardless of the use of the word "original" in the listing, you then should be given the opportunity to LOOK AT/VIEW the copy before purchasing.

One of the (many) "great things" about EBay is that they offer the Sellers the opportunity to show the photos to all potential Sellers. However, the size of the photos that you can view on your computer on the EBay listings/ads are "limited"...but if the photo looks "bad" on the "small" thumbnail on EBay the odds are that the photo will look "worse" when you get it (as if a photo looks bad small when you increase the size of the photo EVERY blemish, blur, will be magnified tenfold OR a hundredfold OR more). Contrary if the photo looks "good", on the EBay listing, your "odds" have now increased on getting a good Elvis photo.

However you should realize that the Seller MAY opt to put a "watermark" (i.e. words, letters, etc.) on the photo itself so that the photo cannot be "copied" online. This "watermark" may limit your view of the photo so you should take it into consideration and NOT "rule the photo out" because you may not be able to completely view the photo due to the "watermark".

Your next "step" should be to ascertain who the seller is? How is their "feedback" been on EBay concerning customers who have already bought Elvis photos before? How may "feedback scores" does the Seller have (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 10, etc.)? How long has the Seller been collecting Elvis Memorabilia/Collectibles?

Your next "step" should be to compare the photo to your criteria. If the photo "makes you happy", or if you "like it" or "want it", then...go for it. During the process ask yourself "what is it about this picture that I like?" because the "answer to your question" can be used as a "guide" for future purchases (subject to change of course).

The next "step" is to make sure that you have a "safe" place to keep the photo when it arrives. All photos cany deteriorate due to exposure to heat, cold, sunlight, moisture, etc. With that being another "factor" you may want to ask the Seller on what type of "paper" is the photo printed? What type of ink is used? Even though the Seller may know know...it never hurts to ask because the type of paper, and ink used, will directly affect the QUALITY of the photo now...and in the future.

As an "example" I have always looked for photos printed on NAME BRAND photo paper (i.e. HP, Kodak, Fuji, etc.). I also look for photos that the ink is "name brand" as well (i.e. HP, Kodak, Fuji, etc.). Photo paper, and ink, vary in their price - quality - etc. so make sure that you factor this in when making a decision.

Lastly I would recommend that after you have "done your homework", and/or followed the specifics in this review, that you just...enjoy your purchase (excluding of course if it is damaged). After all if Elvis makes you happy, and I must admit that Elvis has made me happy all these years, then there is nothing wrong with adding a little "happiness" to your life...one photo at a time.

In closing, thank you for taking the time to read this "review". I respect, and appreciate, all of the Elvis fans here in the US...and Worldwide. The more that we can share about Elvis...the more his legend/legacy/reputation will "prosper"....today and tomorrow.

Take care,

JEFF