Offered are three relics of the shortlived Presley Center Courts Racquetball Club, including one of Elvis’ personal business cards, with the “TCB” logo in gold in the upper right corner and the Presley Center Courts logo with four racquetball racquets in the upper left. The card reads “Elvis Presley, Chairman of the Board.” Along with a blank version of the cards is an original brochure that describes the center’s 10 regulation courts, locker rooms, weight and exercise room, sauna, pro shop, equipment rentals, lessons and clinics, and child care facilities. The brochure contains a detachable, mailable membership application card. On the reverse side of the brochure is a map of Presley Center Courts, located at the intersection of Mt. Moriah and Mendenhall in Memphis.
In 1976, Elvis started this doomed business investment venture with his physician Dr. Nick. Land was purchased, construction plans were organized, bank accounts were opened, memberships were offered, business cards were printed and bills started to be charged to Elvis. When the venture began mounting large debts and encountering issues, these hurdles could not be overcome and eventually resulted in the project’s demise. After opening in April 1976, the courts were closed later that same summer.
As of this writing, we theorize that there were most likely two printings of Presley Center Courts business cards: one set early on in the venture and another set in conjunction with the printing of the brochures, that came a bit later in the process. Minor differences can be seen in the logo on different examples of the business cards--look at the "O" in "COURTS". The logo on the offered card matches the logo on the brochure. The business cards measure 2 by 3 1/2 inches, and the brochure measures 8 1/2 by 11 inches when open. All three pieces present in immaculate Near Mint to Mint condition.