Photo: Original Graceland Life-Size Nativity Scene for Sale on eBay

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The original life-size Nativity
scene created for Elvis Presley's Graceland in 1965 is now for sale on eBay.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/elvisnativityauction/31237/

Currently owned by Les Birchfield and Med Phipps of Memphis, the Nativity
scene was handmade by Phipps' late father and Memphis artist Hardy Phipps.
Elvis' father Vernon Presley contracted with the artist to provide the annual
Christmas scene and paid $1,140 for the first year's rental on Dec. 8, 1965.
The hand-painted fiberglass Nativity scene served as the backdrop for
Elvis and Priscilla's 1965 photo Christmas card. The stable is a three-piece
structure comprised of the roof and two supporting side pieces measuring
approximately 15 feet wide. The nine figurines included in the Nativity scene
are Mother Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus in a manger, three kneeling wise men, one
standing shepherd, one angel and one calf's head.
The angel that hung above the Holy Family was removed from the scene
shortly after its debut because Elvis thought the figurine to be too shapely
and inappropriate for a religious representation.
As a young man, Med Phipps helped his father Hardy assemble the scene on
the grounds of Graceland each year and said the set brought much joy to Elvis
and his fans.
Later, Hardy Phipps was hired to make a replica of the original Nativity
scene from the original molds to replace the existing set. The replica, which
currently stands on the front grounds of Graceland during this Christmas
season, cost $60,000.
For more information about the Nativity scene, visit ebay.com - item
number 320198705095 or contact Birchfield at 901.276.0340 or email
atireckon@comcast.net.
SOURCE Les Birchfield

Les Birchfield, +1-901-276-0340, ireckon@comcast.net, or Stephanie Nichols,
APR, Stephanie Wilson Nichols Communications, +1-901-266-3714 - office,
+1-901-494-3611 - cell, +1-901-266-2432 - fax