Things You'll Need:
- Storage area
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Step 1
Learn about the difference between Elvis memorabilia and Elvis collectibles. Memorabilia are those items that are associated with Elvis's life, such as autographs, photos or magazines published during the height of his popularity and featuring his image. Collectibles are items often manufactured well after the King's death, and generally feature his image in some way, as in a collectible figurine or plate.
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Step 2
Expect that Elvis-related memorabilia may have higher price tags than items found in the collectibles category. You can expect to pay more for a magazine cover signed by Elvis than for one reproduced in later decades, featuring a digitally manipulated image of the King's signature.
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Step 3
Define the category of memorabilia you would like to collect. Many collectors specialize in only one aspect or time period of the King's career, such as programs from his Vegas performances or memorabilia relating to his appearances in films like "Blue Hawaii."
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Step 4
Subscribe to an Elvis fan club or attend an Elvis convention to familiarize yourself with the current memorabilia market. You'll learn more about what is available, as well as what prices are being paid for different kinds of collectible memorabilia relating to Elvis and his career.
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Step 5
Get firm provenance or authenticity information for each item of memorabilia you collect for your Elvis collection. Since Elvis was one of the most popular rock stars of the twentieth century, you may find many fakes or misrepresented items in the marketplace as you begin to build your collection.
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Step 6
Research the items in your collection by learning about Elvis's life. By reading books and articles written by those closest to him or taking a trip to Graceland, you can learn more about the objects in your collection of memorabilia. You may even uncover other items you might like to add to your collection.
