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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Elvis At 21

Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer

Elvis at 21 is a photographic exhibition capturing Elvis’ rise to fame in the year 1956, before security and money built walls between him and his fans.

More information on Elvis At 21

Selected images

15 images
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On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
With former high school sweetheart, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
With former high school sweetheart, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
A little girl breaks, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
A little girl breaks, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Alone, outside The Warwick Hotel, New York City. March, 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Alone, outside The Warwick Hotel, New York City. March, 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Backstage, The Mosque, Richmond, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Backstage, The Mosque, Richmond, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Elvis at Stage Door, CBS Studio 50, New York City. March 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Elvis at Stage Door, CBS Studio 50, New York City.
March 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Fan frenzy, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Fan frenzy, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Onstage, The Mosque, Richmond, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Onstage, The Mosque, Richmond, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Reading fan letters, New York City. March, 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Reading fan letters, New York City. March, 17, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Reviewing Playback, July 2, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Reviewing Playback, July 2, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
"Separate but equal", July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
"Separate but equal", July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Starburst, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Starburst, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
The Steve Allen Show, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
The Steve Allen Show, July 1, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
The Kiss, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
The Kiss, June 30, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Washroom, No Towels, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
Washroom, No Towels, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
15 images
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Related information

Elvis at 21 learning resource

Learning resource archive

Complementing our 2013 exhibition Elvis at 21, this resource has connections with the Australian Curriculum and is designed primarily for Year 10 teachers of English, History, Music and Visual Arts.
On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer
On train from New York to Memphis, July 4, 1956 by Alfred Wertheimer

Elvis at 21 media information

25 October 2013

Archived media releases 2013

Press releases and images downloads for media.
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