Elvis fans come in many forms, including an extremely rich English aristocrat who lives in a castle. His name is Sir Benjamin Slade, and he has a substantial Elvis collection. One of his more recent additions was a rare 1909 teddy bear from famous German manufacturer Steiff. A teddy bear with that pedigree has intrinsic collectible value, but Elvis owned this one for a while, which made it even more valuable.
Sir Benjamin purchased the teddy bear, named Mabel, at auction in Memphis for $75,000. However, he didn’t keep it long. In a very generous move, he loaned Mabel to a nearby tourist attraction that was assembling an exhibition of rare teddy bears. Mabel joined the British Bear Collection from Barnwell Castle, the Wareham Bears from Dorset, and others. The total insured value of these combined loaner bears was $900,000.
The insurance company insisted on 24-hour-uniformed security with highly trained guard dogs. Security Guard Greg West was on duty when Mabel the bear showed up at the exhibition area. His canine partner of six years was a Doberman named Barney.
All the most valuable bears in the collection were kept inside glass cases. However, Mabel needed some prep work, so she was left on a large worktable. Greg West came strolling through with Barney the Doberman, who was not on a leash. Seeing Mabel laying there belly-up, West could not resist giving her a stroke and saying what a nice little bear she was. Barney saw this and freaked out.
In a jealous rage, he attacked Mabel and tore her head off. The ninety-seven-year-old, $75,000 Steiff teddy bear that Elvis once owned was decapitated – by the guard dog. Uh oh. Barney must have liked the taste of stuffing, because he went on to tear up several other bears worth another $25,000.
The insurance company can’t be too happy about having to pay this claim, and Sir Benjamin is really mad. Who can blame him?
There is something ironic about this strange story. Perhaps you noticed. This is the second Elvis story involving a security guard named West that didn’t turn out so well. Hopefully, Greg West won’t try to emulate Red West and publish a tell-all book titled “Barney: What Happened?”
The attraction where all this took place is Wookey Hole Caves near Somerset. How’s that for a name? Their website boasts that Wookey Hole has 300,000 visitors a year and is “the most stunning underground caverns in the British Isles.” In addition, the Wookey Hole attractions include: Dinosaur Valley (20 life-size dinosaurs), Victorian Arcade (large collection of Edwardian Arcade machines you can play), Pirates of the River Axe (pirate ship game area involving nerf cannonballs), Magical Mirror Maze (distorted mirrors plus a maze you try to navigate through), and Enchanted Fairy Garden, (a river trail where you encounter fairies, elves, and dragons).
What Wookey Hole doesn’t have anymore is Barney the guard dog – and probably not Mabel the Elvis bear either, if Sir Benjamin has any sense.
© 2006 Philip R Arnold www.elvisblog.net
ELVIS COMMENTARY MINI-NUGGETS — # 2
HARUM SCARUM: After my frustration with the nonexistent “Elvis Movie Marathon,” I did manage to watch some Elvis movies and documentaries on Wednesday the 16th and on through the weekend. “Harum Scarum” was one I caught, and it had been so long since my last viewing that I had forgotten how bad it is. There is one redeeming feature: this movie is non-stop with lovelies showing lots of cleavage and bare midriffs. None of those ugly Burkas in this Arab country.
One of my favorite references, “The Elvis Film Encyclopedia” by Eric Braun, correctly notes “Harum Scarum” has a frankly ludicrous storyline. However, if you are a determined Elvis collector, go to www.amazon.com, and you can pick up a used copy of the VHS for 60¢. It’s the cheapest Elvis movie you can buy, and I think I know why.
HARD ROCK CAFÉ ELVIS PINS: Did you know Hard Rock Café now has online auctions for new releases of their famous pins? Naturally, they had a series of five Elvis pins presented just in time for “Elvis Week”. Each would be produced in a limited edition of only 100, after which the molds are retired. The pin selection included four different Elvis poses, three from the fifties and one in that white suit from the ‘68 Comeback Special. The last pin was a 3” x 2” ELVIS in red letters with a black background. The auction started on August 3rd and ended on August 13, and the minimum bids were $15.
Well, one fan got so carried away that he bid $125 each on all five very early in the period. The next highest bid was $40, and dozens of folks picked up all five pins at $15 to $16 each on the last day. I think those smart late-bidders got tremendous bargains. It seems obvious that not many Elvis fans knew about “Hard Rock Café” auctioning Elvis pins. So, here’s an idea: A few days prior to Elvis’ birthday in January, check out www.hardrock.com/estore/auctions. You just might buy yourself an excellent Elvis collectible.
ROLLING STONE’S TOP TEN ELVIS SONGS : Announced on 29th anniversary of Elvis’ death.
1) That’s All right (Mama)
2) Good Rockin’ Tonight
3) Mystery Train
4) Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
5) A Little Less Conversation
6) Hound Dog
7) Kentucky Rain
8) In the Ghetto
9) Suspicious Minds
10) Unchained Melody
I disagree with the last four, but that’s just because all my favorite songs connect with the young Elvis. Those last four songs would certainly make the Jumpsuit Elvis Top Ten, if there were one.
THE BLUE MOON BOYS: While you are on Amazon getting that 60¢ Elvis movie, you should search for “The Blue Moon Boys,” subtitled, “The Story of Elvis Presley’s Band.” I am excited about this new book and will be very happy when my copy arrives. Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana are big favorites of mine. Without having seen the book yet, I’m sure it’s worth the $16.50.
The term Elvis Presley's Band is not something you see in print much. I like that name – Elvis Presley's Band, or better yet, Elvis' Band. Scotty and DJ will be performing in concerts next year at “Elvis Week,” and I get to write pre- and post-concert articles for Elvis… The Magazine. One of these stories is going to be titled, “Elvis’ Band: 50 year Update.”
© 2006 Philip R Arnold All Rights Reserved www.elvisblog.net
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