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The electric Hagstrom Viking II that Elvis Presley played during his 1968 Comeback Special is coming to auction. Sotheby’s is auctioning off the Swedish-made semi-hollowbody instrument that Elvis held in his hands during the legendary broadcast of songs like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Trouble” and “Guitar Man.” He can also be seen playing the guitar on the cover of his 1969 album “Elvis in Memphis”. The estimated value is between 1 and 2 million dollars.
“This guitar became a symbol of Elvis’ legendary comeback,” says Craig Inciardi, Music and Pop Culture Specialist at Sotheby’s. “Guitars have always been a central element of his image – but when Elvis returned to the stage after years of absence in his iconic black leather outfit and played this instrument, one of the most enduring images in rock history was created. It was a turning point: he reconnected with an entire generation of fans and cemented his status as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Online bidding begins on April 9th and ends on April 23rd. The guitar will be on display at Sotheby’s New York Breuer Building from April 13th to 20th. “Unlike most of Elvis’ guitars, which were acoustic, this is an electric Hagstrom, known for its distinctive look and sound,” explains Inciardi. “Their rarity and association with this unique performance make them one of the most iconic instruments associated with Elvis.”
One guitar, one moment
Presley had originally planned to play a different guitar on the show, but it didn’t match the red and black tones of the stage design. Director Steve Binder and producer Bones Howe then asked session guitarist Al Casey if Presley could use his cherry red Hagstrom instead. It is the only time Presley played this guitar; Since then it has wandered through several private collections. From 1998 to 2000 it was on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The auction comes just weeks after the sale of David Gilmour’s black Fender Stratocaster, which changed hands for a record-breaking $14,550,000. At the same auction, Jerry Garcia’s “Tiger” fetched $11,560,000. Both instruments came from the Jim Irsay collection and are among the most expensive guitars ever auctioned. Both significantly exceeded their original estimates – it’s quite possible that Presley’s Hagstrom will do the same.
