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Elvis Presley 1957 Press Photo Portland Oregon Train Arrival Allan de Lay AP
Original vintage black and white staff press photo of Elvis Presley signing an autograph on a small guitar for a group of star-struck Portland teenagers, taken the moment he stepped off the train into Portland, Oregon.
The back of this photo carries the original newspaper caption, taped on, identifying the exact moment and people involved: "Four girls who might be considered the luckiest kids in town, waited at far end of the train and were able to meet Elvis Presley when he arrived in Portland Monday. They are, from left, Donna Marx, Patty Marx, Judy Breall and Marcella Marx. They showed him small guitar and he gave them autograph in return before hurrying to hotel. (Staff photos by Allan de Lay)." Handwritten editorial notations include "Elvis Presley / ELVIS / #2 / 3 col in / J. Lay / Pg 1," with a label reading "Portland Or. 1957."
This documents a real, dated moment from Elvis' historic Pacific Northwest tour, which brought him to Portland's Union Station on September 2, 1957, as part of a five-city Labor Day weekend swing through Spokane, Vancouver BC, Tacoma, Seattle, and Portland. That evening, Elvis performed to a screaming crowd of roughly 12,000 fans at Multnomah Stadium — one of the most legendary nights in Portland rock and roll history. Photographer Allan de Lay was a longtime staff photographer for The Oregonian, and this image comes directly from that local newspaper photo archive.
This is a wonderful piece of genuine local Portland history: a candid, on-the-ground moment of 22-year-old Elvis at the very start of his national fame, warmly greeting hometown fans.
Condition: Good vintage condition for its age. Notable creasing, soiling, and handling wear on the back consistent with newspaper archive use over the decades; image side remains clear and well-contrasted. Please see all photos for exact condition, the original caption, and notations, as these are part of what you're purchasing.
A must-have for any serious Elvis collector, and an exceptional piece of Portland, Oregon music history.
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