Why Elvis Presley's iconic blue suede shoes fetched over Rs 1.26 crore at auction

Elvis Presley’s famed blue suede shoes have been sold at auction for a staggering £120,000 (around Rs 1.27 crore). These shoes, immortalised in his 1956 hit song "Blue Suede Shoes," were a focal point at the Henry Aldridge and Son auction house, sparking a bidding war that began at £55,000 (Rs 58 lakh).

A collector from California secured the iconic footwear, marking a new high for memorabilia tied to the King of Rock and Roll. Presley donned these blue suede shoes during notable performances of "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" and "Hound Dog" on The Steve Allen Show in 1956.
The auction added layers of intrigue with documents that traced the shoes' provenance. Elvis gifted these shoes to his friend Alan Fortas in 1958, right before his departure for military service. Fortas's letter, which was part of the auction lot, recounts an all-night farewell party at Graceland, during which Presley handed out clothes he deemed unnecessary for his time in the Army.

A letter of authenticity from Jimmy Velvet, a close associate of Presley and the founder of the Elvis Presley Museum, further validated the shoes' authenticity. Velvet’s endorsement solidified their status as genuine relics of Presley’s storied career.

This auction also showcased another piece of rock history: an outfit worn by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the band’s music video for "I’m Going Slightly Mad" sold for £197,000 (Rs 2.08 crore).