Elvis Presley Signed Menu International Hotel Las Vegas – COA JSA Provenance LOA

Joseph Zanni had a job at the International Hotel & Casino that many would envy. While Elvis Prestley had a residency (1969-75) there he was the hospitality liaison between him and his people (entourage). He took care of his room as well as food and beverage service to the King. During Joe’s time at the International he received many amzing items from Elvis and this is one of them.

Presented as part of Zanni’s collection is a International Hotel menu (8.5 x 11″) personalized and autographed to him and his wife “Joni & Joe”, by Elvis. He signed the portrait part of the menu in blue ballpoint ink (“9”). After Elvis signed the menu, he thanked Joe. In turn, Joe said, “No, thank you – because when you are here I make money.” A provenance letter from Joseph Zanni will attend the memorable item (and detail the interaction) as well as the other items in from his collection. Note, the pages of the menu itself are affixed. Overall, a wonderful working relationship that turned into a gracious Elvis autograph. It deserves prominent display in any collection.

There is a lot of history between Elvis Presley and Las Vegas. Elvis Presley’s Las Vegas debut was at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino in April 1956. His debut was “Colonel” Tom Parker’s attempt to give Presley national credibility. Newspaper ads called Presley “The Atomic Powered Singer”. Since Nevada was the home of Atomic powered testing, Parker thought the name would be catchy.

Elvis returned to Las Vegas in late 1969, playing from July to August returning in 1970 in January. Elvis would play all over the country in the ‘70s, but it was Las Vegas that would forever become associated with this period in his life. The common pattern was to play Vegas for a series of concerts every January, often returning later in the year for another engagement, and visit other cities all over the country in between. By the time the August 9 – September 6, 1971 engagement was set, the International Hotel was bought by the Hilton Franchise.

The King’s shows were about glitter and glitz as well as musicianship and were choreographed around his image- his arrival on the stage was dramatized, as was his departure. Elvis worked for each crowd as if it would be his last. No longer the supercharged Hillbilly Cat, Elvis was now consummate professional: smooth, powerful, and passionate, already seeming more myth than man.  There were surprisingly few special effects and little emphasis on production values. Elvis was the show.

Authentication: JSA Full Letter

Elvis Presley Signed Menu