An iconic piece of rock and roll history is set to go under the hammer.
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Elvis Presley's Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar will open for bidding on April 9 through Sotheby's. The auction will run until April 23.
Ahead of the sale, the legendary instrument will be displayed at Sotheby's New York Breuer Building from April 12 to April 20.
According to Rolling Stone, the guitar is expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million.
Elvis Presley Guitar From 1968 Comeback Special Heads to Auction
The "Swedish-made semi-hollow-body instrument" was famously used by Presley during his iconic 1968 Comeback Special.
He played the guitar throughout the broadcast, including performances of "Blue Suede Shoes," "Trouble," and "Guitar Man."
Presley was also pictured holding the same instrument on the cover of his 1969 album Elvis in Memphis, further cementing its place in music history.
"This guitar became a symbol of Elvis' legendary comeback," Craig Inciardi, Sotheby's Music and Pop Culture Specialist, said. "Guitars have always been central to his image, but seeing Elvis return to the stage after years away, dressed in his iconic black leather outfit and playing this guitar, created one of the most enduring images in rock history."
"It marked a pivotal moment, reconnecting him with a generation of fans and cementing his status as the King of Rock 'n' Roll."
Inciardi added that the Hagstrom stands out for its "distinctive look and sound". He notes that Presley more commonly performed with acoustic guitars, making this instrument particularly rare.
He says that "Its rarity and its association with that singular performance make it one of the most iconic instruments linked to Elvis."
Rare Instrument Could Exceed Million-Dollar Estimate
Per Rolling Stone, Presley had initially planned to use a different guitar for the broadcast. He ultimately chose the Hagstrom as it complemented the red and black color scheme of the set.
It remains the only known occasion he played the instrument publicly. Since then, the guitar has passed through several private collections.
It was also displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame between 1998 and 2000.
There is growing speculation that the final sale price could exceed its $1-2 million estimate.
That expectation follows a surge in high-profile guitar sales, including David Gilmour's Black Fender Stratocaster, which sold for a record $14,550,000.
At the same auction, Jerry Garcia's Tiger fetched $11,560,000, making them the two most expensive guitars ever sold.
In 2015, on what would have been Presley's 80th birthday, his first-ever recording sold for $300,000. The 1953 track "My Happiness" was sold to an undisclosed buyer at Graceland.
