Though Elvis and Priscilla Presley filed for divorce in 1972, the fleeting storybook chapter of the five-year marriage — the wedding day — is being memorialized by toy maker Mattel.

The “Elvis and Priscilla Barbie Doll Gift Set” will be unveiled 10 a.m. Tuesday in a ceremony at Graceland, which includes a champagne toast and slices of wedding cake.

Photo by Mark Weber

Kevin Kern, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., director of public relations (back, right) and media assistant Alicia Dean assemble press kits for the release of the new Elvis and Priscilla Barbie dolls on Tuesday at Graceland.

Which is the real Elvis and Priscilla?

Graceland has about 200 of the dolls and is one of few places to score one immediately. According to Elvis Presley Enterprises, shipping delays in China prevented most of the 40,000 limited-edition dolls from getting to stores in time for Elvis Week 2008, which is Aug. 9-17 in Memphis. Wal-Mart, the major distributor of the dolls, doesn’t plan to have them on the shelves until late September or early October, though the shopping giant is advertising online sales of the doll.

The collectible couple wear miniature replicas of the outfits in which they tied the knot during their Las Vegas nuptials on May 1, 1967. Elvis (age 32 at the time), in a paisley jacquard suit with a boutonniere and black boots, stands beside his raven-tressed bride, 21, in a white chiffon and satin gown with a tiara and veil.

Despite their likeness to the rock and roll royals, the heads are actually stock molds painted to look like Elvis and Priscilla.

The dolls will sell for $69.99, and will include a first release at Graceland dated seal on the package, adding to their appeal to collectors. One of the dolls, autographed by Priscilla Presley, will be auctioned at the event and the proceeds will go to Presley Place, a transitional housing complex for homeless families.

Kevin Kern, public relations director of Elvis Presley Enterprises, says he expects the line for dolls to form around 6 a.m.

“Those 200 are going to go very quickly,” he said. “We’re also going to give away about 30 wedding day photos autographed by Priscilla.”

It’s not the first time the image of the newlywed Presleys have been licensed to doll makers. The Ashton-Drake Galleries released a porcelain doll version of the couple in July.

Elvis’ last appearance in a Barbie box was in 1996, when he was dolled up in the famed gold lame jacket from his hip-swiveling bachelor days. That package also included a female Barbie companion — not, however, his bride-to-be.

— Christopher Blank: 529-2305