Elvis: The RCA Bonus Photos (1958-69)
By Bob Pakes
Many Elvis Presley records in the 50’s and 60’s were released with a special bonus. In most cases this was a photo, but the fans were also treated to a pocket calendar, a wall calendar, a fan card, a picture folio, and a poster.
Sometimes the bonus was handed out by the record shop owner, but usually the bonus was included within the sealed album. Of course, these bonuses were also another apportunity to advertise the Presley product, and we will often find an RCA catalog on the back. These items are now very collectable and some are quite rare.
Interesting for vinyl collectors is the fact that RCA attached a special sticker announcing the bonus gift on the front of the LP. Since these albums were always sealed in, the stickers are almost as rare as the bonus item itself because the average buyer would throw the plastic seal (including the sticker) away after unwrapping the album.
In this article we will take a close look at these bonus items, in chronological order. Every effort has been made to present all items and their corresponding album, if possible in sealed condition because of the sticker, and also including the album-backcover (in case the photo was visible from the outside) and give as much information as possible.
March 1958
Elvis’ Golden Records
LPM-1707
Not actually a ‘free’ bonus, since an additional $ 0,25 had to be paid to cover postage and packing, but when the coupon that was enclosed with this album was sent to RCA, you would receive an 8 by 10 inch Elvis Presley Photo Booklet.
Note the words “once-in-a-lifetime offer”. The Presley merchandise-train was in high gear.
I have not been able to identify which of the folio’s from around that time ‘belonged’ to this offer. If anybody would like to share his knowledge on this, that would be very much appreciated!
September 1958
King Creole
LPM-1884
This photo was given away for free with the purchase of the album. You may come across ‘sealed’ copies that include the photo, but in that case the album was sealed in by the shop owner.
It measures 8 x 10 inch, and the back of the photo is white.
April 1959
A Touch Of Gold, Volume 1
EPA-5088
This EP came with a fan card (about 2 x 3 inch).
As soon as you signed the card, you committed yourself to spend your money on Presley products.
Apparently the Colonel made unannounced housecalls to check if the “loyal” fans kept their part of the deal.
November 1962
Girls! Girls! Girls!
LPM/LSP-2621
Included with the album was an 11 x 11 inch 1963 wall calendar.
The back of the calendar came in three variations:
1. A list of Elvis EP’s and LP’s.
2. A list of Elvis 45’s and EP’s.
3. A picture of the Colonel with a snowman.
This album was also released with a 1963 pocket calendar as a bonus (see the sealed LPM to the right).
April 1963
It Happened At The World’s Fair
LPM/LSP-2697
The bonus photo included with the album measures 8 x 10 inch.
Two different versions of the front exist: one with a white border, and one without this white border.
The back advertises 9 other Presley albums.
August 1963
Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3
LPM/LSP-2765
A very nice 16-page picture folio (measuring 8 x 10 inch) came with the purchase of this album. This folio was handed out by the recordstore owner.
Except for the front (which is from Wild In The Country) all other pictures in the folio are from the Girls! Girls! Girls! and It Happened At The World’s Fair photo-shoots.
February 1964
Kissin’ Cousins
LPM/LSP-2894
The bonus photo (measuring 8 x 10 inch) that is associated with this title was not sealed in with the album but given out by the record shop owner.
It is the only bonus photo from the 60’s that was not in color.
The back of the photo is white.
March 1965
Girl Happy
LPM/LSP-3338
This poster (measuring 16 x 20 inch) was given to buyers of certain Elvis albums (around the time Girl Happy was released and therefore connected to this title in particular) at record stores.
The artist responsible for this painting, June Kelly, also painted the bonus photo that came with the Frankie And Johnny album in 1966.
This painting was also used in Harum Scarum:
November 1965
Harum Scarum
LPM/LSP-3468
To my knowledge this is the first record that carried a sticker announcing the bonus.
The bonus photo, included with the album, measures 12 x 12 inch. The back is white.
March 1966
Frankie And Johnny
LPM/LSP-3553
The bonus photo, included with the album, measures 12 x 12 inch.
The back is white.
Apparently also copies exist that have an ad for the movie on the back, but I cannot confirm this as I’ve never seen this variation myself.
And here we have again the same artist, June Kelly, who painted the poster that was given away for free with the Girl Happy album in 1965.
October 1966
Spinout
LPM/LSP-3702
The bonus photo, included with the album, measures 12 x 12 inch.
The back is white.
June 1967
Double Trouble
LPM/LSP-3787
The announcement of the bonus photo on the album-front is not a sticker this time, but rather incorparated into the design of the sleeve. Later pressings did not have the bonus photo, and where the announcement used to be we now would find the words TROUBLE DOUBLE.
The bonus photo, included with the album, measures 7 x 9 inch.
The back shows the Elvis RCA LP + Stereo 8 catalog.
October 1967
Clambake
LPM/LSP-3893
The bonus photo, that was included with the album, measures 11 x 11 inch.
The back is white.
January 1968
Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 4
LPM/LSP-3921
There was no sticker attached to the frontcover announcing any bonus photo since this photo wasn’t actually sealed in with the album, it was given away for free when this LP was purchased.
The photo measures 8 x 10 inch.
The back is an RCA Elvis catalog.
June 1968
Speedway
LPM/LSP-3989
The sticker that was used on the frontseal of the album to announce the bonus photo, is exactly the same as the sticker on the Spinout album (except for the color).
The bonus photo was included with the album and measures 8 x 10 inch.
The back is an RCA Elvis catalog.
November 1968
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others
PRS-279
There was no sticker attached to the frontcover announcing a bonus photo since this photo wasn’t sealed in with the album, it rather came with it.
The photo measures 8 x 10 inch.
The back is an RCA Elvis LP + Stereo 8 catalog.
Two different versions exist: the first advertised Elvis’ upcoming NBC Special, the second (printed after the TV Special had aired on December 3, 1968) does not have this announcement.
June 1969
From Elvis In Memphis
LSP-4155
This bonus photo (with a reversed image of Elvis) measures 8 x 10 inch and was included with the album.
The back is an RCA Elvis LP catalog
July 1969
International Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada Presents Elvis, August 1969
(Box Set)
LPM-4088 + LSP-4155
This Box Set contained a whole bunch of goodies:
* From Elvis In Memphis LP
* NBC TV Special LP
* color photo (8 x 10 inch) that was also included with the From Elvis In Memphis album
* 1969 pocket calendar
* RCA promo booklet
* two black & white photos
* Elvis RCA catalog
October 1969
From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis
(2 LP Set)
LSP-6020
Two bonus photos were included with this double album. But four different photos exist.
All photos measure 8 x 10 inch in size.
THANKS:
To Dennis Berry, Cayetano and Bob Furmanek for scanning and sharing.
To Archie Lee and Rod Kinkade for sharing additional information.
Superb article. I’m glad you stopped at 1969! The few ones from the 70’s just didnt seem as classic. The bonus stickers were awesome as well.
Excellent, Bob.
Great research and presentation, as always. Thank you very much.
Fantastic Bob as always, I enjoyed this very much, thank you.
It’s a pity that there were not always bonus items on European releases.
Great read, thanks!
Bob, two small black & white wallet bonus pix are missing…One from the first album, featuring the same photo with the text “New RCA Victor recording artist”, and one , head & shoulders Army portrait, wearing a small cap…Possibly from around the time of the King Creole EPs…I know this for sure, had them both…long ago. I’m sure you’ll find them, Mr Sherlock Holmes!
I have the small one with the Army cap, but not sure how to post photos here.
The folio that you are looking for from the coupon being sent with .25 cents from the album ELVIS GOLDEN RECORDS (1958) was actually available in 2 different versions but the one your looking for had a advertisement on the back for the above GOLDEN RECORDS Album, the other one had a advertisement for the movie Jailhouse Rock. Both Folios were identical inside with about sixteen black and white photos of Elvis from the JAILHOUSE ROCK, both Folios are the same except for the back advertisements.
Hope this was helpful.
International Hotel, Las Vegas Nevada Presents Elvis, August 1969 (Box Set) – I do need the original photos. Can somebody please help?
Peter
I have the original painting of Elvis as a teenager. Painted by June Kelly. Anyone interested?
Elvis Gold Records Vol 4, who manufactured/copied the photo?
In other words, did the record store pay for the copying?
I love this! Thank you.
TANK MY FRIEND!!!
Have came across several Elvis albums still sealed. Photos on both sides.
Trying to find the value. Thanks.
Like this! I have a few of these albums.
Great Job! Thanks!
Bellissimo articolo, grazie. Ma perché fermarsi al 1969. Anche gli anni 70 sono pieni di bonus e stickers.
Arriving in Germany on and October 1, Elvis’ unit was stationed in Friedberg, Germany. Upon arrival he was assigned to the Ray Kaserne barracks. He served in Company C, a scout platoon. Elvis Presley at his hotel room at Ritters Park Hotel in Bad Homburg, first weekend of October 1958.
Hello,
I recently bought an Elvis picture at auction, it is with printed signature, and the RCA LP/EP Discography on the back. It is the same photo that is used on the 1970 bonus photo album. He is wearing a white shirt, white neckerchief, and black jacket, the background is yellow.
I can not find any info on it at all and would appreciate any pointers!
Thanks ever so much!! Kate
Kate, the photo you have was given away with the From Memphis to Vegas double album in the UK.
Does the FTD reissue of some of these albums come with the bonus photos?