Fervent fanhood: East valley resident’s Elvis collection spans house

Sandra Luther got the first piece in her Elvis collection in 1964. It's also one of her favorites.

"I was 16, and I lived in Culver City (Calif.), near MGM Studios," Luther said. "I used to see a lot of famous people there, and one day, I was talking to the guard and saw this nice-looking man in black coming through. That was Elvis Presley, so I asked him for his autograph."

Four years later, when the 1968 comeback special aired, she said she sat so close to the television that she was practically on top of it. She came to Las Vegas to see Presley at The International in 1970 and returned regularly for his performances in January and August until she was married in 1975.

"I never got to sit in the very front, but I had my hand around his scarf one time, but he pulled back, and another girl ended up with it," she said. "I do have a scarf, but it's from one of the impersonators."

Luther's collection fills just about every corner of her east valley home in a manufactured housing community not far from Boulder Highway. Some of it was gathered during Presley's lifetime, but much of it came later when the marketing of the king of rock 'n' roll grew to monumental proportions.

"My husband liked to go to swap meets, so he helped me with it, and that's where a lot of the collection came from," she said. "I get a lot of it at conventions now also."

Just because some of it came from swap meets doesn't mean that she got it all at bargain prices. One of her favorite pieces is a large, high-quality print depicting important events in Presley's life. The work cost $750, and Luther had to pay for it in installments.

"They only had one, and that's probably a good thing," she said. "I'm sure if they had another, I would have got that, too."

Other works, including several portraits of Presley on black velvet, were more reasonably priced acquisitions. Luther noted several that she picked up, some for $20. The collection includes a wide range of memorabilia from shot glasses and belt buckles to bingo daubers and liquor decanters. One bookshelf is filled with Elvis coffee mugs. A closet includes Elvis jigsaw puzzles, throw pillows, cologne, bottles and decorative tins. Another shelf is full of Elvis-themed teddy bears, including several that play songs and move.

"I think it's safe to say there isn't a larger private Elvis collection in Las Vegas," she said.

Heart Shapre is the press contact for All Shook Up N Vegas, one of two local Elvis fan clubs Luther belongs to.

"If there's a bigger (collection), I'd like to see it. Sandra is very passionate about her collection," Shapre said.

Luther has no intention of selling any of her collection, but she has been known to donate items to the fan clubs. The items are too dear to her to sell, and she feels a connection with the man through them.

"I really loved his charisma, style and music," Luther said. "We just didn't know he would die so young."

— To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.