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Interview by Nigel Patterson – November 2024
SS: Thank you! Like many, I was mesmerized by Elvis at a young age. I was fortunate to have seen him perform in Ohio, four times, between the ages of 10 and 13. I attended college near Memphis in order to be close to all things Elvis history. My journey would eventually take me to Nashville in pursuit of all things music history and touring with Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and other contemporary country music recording artists. EIN: For many years you have operated the business, Rockology. Please tell us about it. SS: I started Rockology in 2011. I was approached about having my own reality TV series in 2006 after making international news with the marketing and sale of Elvis’s Audubon Drive home, the acquisition of Libertyland’s Zippin Pippin and purchasing a personal song lyrics notebook of Hank Williams at a yard sale. The latter scenario creating a colossal lawsuit from Sony / ATV Publishing. Thus for the reality series I needed a formal name of a business to accompany the shows namesake…"Raiders o Rock". The premise was myself and co-host (Robert Reynolds formerly of the Grammy Award Winning Mavericks) searching for all things rock n’ roll memorabilia. Our Rockology shops in Nashville were the landing pad for all of our rock n’ roll treasure acquisitions when filming episodes, across the United States. I had been collecting, appraising, buying, selling and brokering memorabilia prior, since from a young age. Rockology became the formality name / brand, if you will for the TV series which aired in 2014 and 2015 on CMT, a Viacom channel. EIN: You recently released your book, "Yours Elvis Presley" The Definitive Collection of Elvis Presley Autographs Volume 1. Producing a book is a long and intensive process and we surmise you must be excited all of your hard work has finally seen the book in print. What can readers expect to find in it? SS: Yes, it is an intensive and tedious production which takes on a life of its own. The book presents itself as edutainment book, as many will find it entertaining and others will find it educational. Entertaining, in that there will be unique brief encounter stories as told by the fans who received autographs from Elvis. For those seeking to learn, Elvis will be placed at various places previously unknown to historians and videographers. Additionally, numerous examples of Elvis’s autographs will be presented for those who wish to learn about his handwriting characteristics throughout his career. EIN: How long did it take to produce "Yours Elvis Presley"? SS: I set aside examples of autographs I have owned or currently own going as far back as 1990. In most recent years I intensified the idea of putting a book together. I began approximately a year ago, actually developing the project into something tangible for the fans to enjoy.
EIN: Please tell us about the reaction to the book since it's been released, and how has this influenced your plans for a second volume? SS: Quite candidly I'm somewhat shocked. I believed the book would have a niche appeal, as not everyone collects Elvis autographs. I didn't dream I'd get the positive feedback and interest I have received. I think Elvis autographs and the stories on how obtained opened a new path of interest beyond autograph collectors alone. I now want to hear and record more stories in detail, on Elvis autograph encounters, as I believe a new generation of fans can feel greater connected to Elvis, through these real encounters that happened decades ago. Sadly, the original Elvis generation is leaving this world daily, thus I feel a need to expedite and document more Elvis encounters for Volume II, before stories are lost forever. As well, Elvis' graciousness to fans, continuing to be documented, further solidifies his true character for new generations to study. EIN: Stepping back in time, how did you become interested in Elvis autographs/signatures? SS: As a collector, seeking autographs has been in my blood. As fans and collectors, we all want the Elvis jumpsuits, cars and his personal jewelry, but autographs are something in the affordable realm, thus collecting was within reason. More importantly autographs were something Elvis gave of himself. An autograph represents a moment in time from Elvis. EIN: Have you formal training in handwriting analysis? SS: No. I am self-taught, but I want to emphasize I discuss autographs routinely with a select few, long time collectors. As they say it takes a village and a village of astute collectors is what it takes to authenticate autographs. Autograph collecting is a vast study. Leaning on one’s own determination is risky, especially when someone is spending their hard- earned money on an autograph.
Super-cool, an Elvis World magazine signed by the man himself!
EIN: How long have you been assessing Elvis signatures and how many do you estimate you’ve been asked to authenticate? SS: I have been looking at Elvis’s autographs since 1990. I’ve viewed thousands in those 3 decades plus, but every day is an opportunity to learn more. EIN: Elvis appears to have a signature that some are able to replicate, at least to the untrained eye? Do you agree? SS: Yes, for lack of better words, there are some “good forgeries”. EIN: What is your estimate of the percentage of Elvis signatures that are bogus? SS: If you look on eBay, I’d say at any given time, 90% are forgeries. EIN: At one point, prominent Elvis author and dealer, Paul Lichter, had what seemed to be a never-ending supply of Elvis signatures, many of which were snapped up by eager fans based on arguably false claims as to their provenance/legitimacy. Did you ever look at any of the Elvis signatures Lichter offered for sale and if so, what was your view on them? SS: Yes, I did, but fortunately I knew early on about his embellished, if not fabricated stories, regarding he and Elvis. Lichter' forgeries are rather easy to detect. I know of one autographed LP sold by Lichter with an "Elvis signature", that was actually pressed in 1978. You can do the math lol. Unfortunately, the Paul Lichters of the Elvis autograph world still exist.
(click for large size) EIN: Stephen, what advice would you give anyone interested in purchasing an Elvis signature/autograph? SS: Ask those knowledgeable on Elvis autographs, before buying. So many times I have seen people purchase, then come forward and ask if what they purchased is authentic. Ask questions before you buy! EIN: What are key things people should look for when considering Elvis signatures? SS: The reputation of someone selling an autograph is key. Additionally, provenance to support the autograph is important. As time progresses, stories about how autographs were obtained are becoming lost, as kids and grandkids inheriting autographs, know nothing more than their parent or grandparent was an Elvis fan. If the autograph is placed at a specific place and time, the greater the value in my opinion. EIN: Talking about handwriting analysis generally, how important is the quality of the handwriting sample in assessing its authenticity? SS: The physical quality of the piece is important. The more aspects of the signature missing, the greater difficulty in determining its authenticity. It becomes a shift if you will, relying more on the provenance when the physical quality is just fair. EIN: Does a person's handwriting change as they get older, and if yes, how did Elvis’ change over time? SS: Yes, everyone’s handwriting changes over time. With Elvis, his signature became smaller based on my studies. Certain characteristics did change within his signature as well. Sadly, but in reality, health and substance use / medication use alters one’s handwriting. EIN: Can you be definitive when assessing a handwriting sample? SS: I’ve semi-jokingly stated in the past, no one has a time machine, thus no one is ever 100% sure. This is the reason reputation of the seller and provenance play important roles in purchasing an Elvis autograph. EIN: Apart from Elvis' handwritten letter to President Nixon, what other primary exemplars are available of Elvis' handwriting? SS: The Anita Wood letters immediately come to mind as do a couple handwritten notes that will be presented in the book, that many fans might not have seen before.
EIN: Stephen, are you familiar with the handwriting samples in the possession of author-researcher, Gary Lindberg, who published the books Letters from Elvis and Brando on Elvis, and if you have examined the online samples, what is your view on them? SS: I’ve heard about the subject matter recently. The content reminds me of several letters presented to me several years ago supposedly written by Elvis in the last months of his life. The content of those letters were less dramatic per say, but they were thematically dark in subject matter. The letters randomly surfaced with phone recorded audio tapes that mimicked the same content and as well, supposedly came from Elvis. I personally find the content you reference as non-believable. The far-fetched factor undermines the credibility of the content, but additionally the handwriting doesn’t remotely gel in my opinion. EIN: Returning to “Yours, Elvis Presley”, it is a deluxe coffee-table release and a limited edition. Will there be a softcover edition of the book for those who miss out or can't afford the deluxe edition? SS: We are leaning in that direction based on demand, but we are not 100% sure yet if we will provide a softcover addition. EIN: Stephen, is there anything else you would like to say to our readers? SS: Thank you to everyone who keeps the memory of Elvis alive. Be the best you can be, when contributing knowledge of Elvis, as new generations are inquiring everyday wanting to learn more. EIN: Stephen thank you very much for sharing your knowledge of and information about your fabulous book and Elvis’ signatures.
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