Offered is a touching little missive written by Elvis Presley to his girlfriend Barbara Leigh. Elvis has penned "E.P. Loves B.L.T." on an International Hotel cocktail napkin, with the "B.L." underlined. One can imagine a joking Elvis writing the "B.L." and then adding the "T." once Barbara reacted to the first letters! Leigh was famously involved with Elvis for two years starting in 1970. The offered signed peice emanates from Leigh, via noted early Elvis collector Tom Salva. His LOA accompanies, along with a copy of note Barbara wrote Tom about making copies of the napkin and other pieces for her book.
From Leigh's autobiography The King, McQueen and The Love Machine: “I met Elvis on August 30, 1970, in Las Vegas when he was headlining at the Las Vegas International Hotel. I was a fashion model and aspiring actress, who just happened to be his “type.” We met backstage, and for the next two years of my life, Elvis Presley was a friend and lover. During those years, I got to know Elvis as a man who was kind, sincere, gentle, funny, and even humble. He lived for his fans and gave them 100 percent of himself. In almost every way, he belonged to them. Because of Elvis’ enormous popularity, he constantly struggled to maintain his privacy, his perspective on life, and eventually even struggled to maintain his sanity. I was with Elvis in the down time—those quiet hours between the shows, and away from the public. It was in those times that I really got to know just how lovely and complex he was. Yes, Elvis had his faults, but I’ve never met another man quite like him.”
The napkin measures 5 x 9 1/2 inches and is framed to a size of 10 x 15 inches. It displays beautifully, but there are several sets of fold marks, indicating it was stored folded at least initally. Excellent condition.