Elvis Presley Owned Oil On Canvas Still Life of Papaya, From His 1174 Hillcrest Road, Beverly Hills, California Home. Arlindo Mesquita (1924-1987). This painting was sold at public auction in 1980 by Don B. Smith Auction Co., September 14, 1980 and is listed in the catalogue as Lot Number 102: Painting, Papaya: By Mezquita. A subsequent auction was held by CSA Auction Co., Saturday, May 2, 1987 at Cook Convention Center Memphis, TN. The Memphis Auction included 60 items from the Don B. Smith auction. The majority of the items from that auction were purchased by Jimmy Velvet, owner of Elvis Presley Museum and friend of Elvis of 22 years. Mr. Velvet owned five Elvis Presley museums at one point (Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Honolulu, and Kissimmee). This item will come with a copy of the CSA auction catalogue cover and copy of a May, 4 1987 Associated Press newspaper article in the Meridian Star, "Elvis Home Furnishings Auctioned Off." The article references Harold Bonne of Tupelo, MS as the buyer of $3,325 in Elvis items. Also included, will be a copy of the auction tickets listing items purchased by Harold L. Boone of Tupelo, MS for four paintings and a oriental lamp from Elvis's estate. All of the paintings from Elvis's home carry a National Van Lines identification sticker to the back of the frame. National Van Lines shipped the Elvis items from Beverly Hills to the Cook Convention Center, Memphis, TN. Beautiful still life painting signed by the artist lower right. The painting has brass label affixed to the frame, "A. Mezquita, 'Life.'" Engraver misspelled name. The title of painting is "Frutas Cortadas" on verso Customs declaration attached to verso and a Fine Arts Certification stamp dated March 18, 1966, signed by the artist. The painting measures 23" X 28" and is framed in a European carved giltwood frame, 30 1/4" High X 34 1/2" Wide.

Condition- Painting is in good condition. Canvas may possibly need cleaning. The frame has some old insect damage. See photos.