Elvis Presley's vocal cords are probably the most famous in the history of rock'n'roll. Now the medical instruments that helped keep them on song are at the centre of a court battle involving a multi-million pound array of Elvis memorabilia.
Among the disputed items collected by George Nichopoulos, the late star's personal doctor, are the laryngeal scope with which he examined "the king's" chronic sore throat and tonsils, and a device used to irrigate his nostrils before concerts.
The collection, amassed by Dr Nick - as the former physician is commonly known - in boxes in his garage, was "the greatest find since the Titanic", said Las Vegas lounge singer Robert Gallagher, one of the men disputing its ownership.
Also at the heart of the legal fight are a stuffed toy dog that Presley once threw at Dr Nick, the red strobe car roof light the doctor kept with him in case he needed to hurry to Graceland, the star's Tennessee home, a prescription pill bottle dated August 15, 1977 - the day before Elvis died - and a Smith & Wesson pistol that Presley gave to him.
Mr Gallagher, a flamboyant entertainer who plays a white baby grand piano with his feet and wears a bullet-holed cowboy hat, estimates the collection is worth £127 million. He and Mr Long struck a deal to take Dr Nick's collection on tour, but then fell out. The case started last week in Wilmington, Delaware, where they registered their company.
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