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| Elvis Presley owned and worn 1914 Indian Head gold 2 1/2-dollar coin and diamond ring |
Elvis Presley had his own style and it included the jewelry and watches he wore and gave as gifts. He preferred yellow gold, diamonds, sapphires and antique coin rings. Several pieces had personal meaning to Presley and those closest to him.
At least seven of his jewels and watches are among 126 authenticated pieces of memorabilia up for auction January 7 at Graceland, Presley’s former Memphis, Tenn., estate that is now a museum dedicated to the life of one of America’s most famous singers and actors. Bids also will be taken worldwide via mobile and online bids on Invaluable.com and on eBay.
The items include the following:
Elvis Presley Owned and Worn 1914 Indian Head Gold 2 1/2-Dollar Coin and Diamond Ring Gifted to Elvis Tour Promoter Tom Hulett (top photo)
This ring, one of several Indian Head rings he owned, was given by Elvis to Tom Hulett who, with Colonel Parker, managed Elvis’ live performances in the 1970s. Twenty-six round diamonds weighing approximately 1-ct. surround the Indian Head side of the coin. The size 8½ ring is set in gold. The reverse of the coin with eagle is visible from the underside of the mounting. It’s offered with a letter from Tom Hulett on Concerts West, Inc. letterhead authenticating the gift. Its estimate is $20,000 - $25,000.
Elvis Presley 14k "TCB" Necklace Gifted to Bodyguard Sam Thompson
Elvis gave TCB necklaces to those close to him. This one is gifted to Sam Thompson by Elvis and is accompanied by an affidavit from Thompson stating that he wore the necklace until the day Elvis died and that it was damaged during an altercation in Duluth, Minn., on April 28, 1977, and that both loops and the chain were replaced May 1-2, 1977, by a jeweler in Chicago. Thompson was Elvis’ bodyguard and the brother of Elvis’ girlfriend Linda Thompson. This TCB necklace was made by Elvis' jeweler Lowell Hays. The necklace is being offered with a copy of Sam’s book “Elvis on Tour: The Last Year,” autographed by Thompson. It includes several photos of Sam wearing his TCB necklace. The TCB with a lightning bolt through it is a symbol of Elvis and those close to him. It’s an acronym for “Taking Care of Business.” Its estimate is $12,000 - $15,000.
Elvis Presley's 10K Gold Ring with 56 Diamonds
The 10k gold men’s ring, size 10 3/4, contains 56 diamonds. The diamonds are set within a tiered octagonal design and openwork interior underneath. The ring was given to Sam Thompson by Elvis. Thompson was Elvis’ bodyguard and the brother of Elvis’ girlfriend Linda Thompson. It is accompanied with a letter from Thompson authenticating the gift, which includes an image of the ring on a man’s pinky finger. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.
Gold Baume & Mercier Watch Gifted By Elvis Presley to Imperials Member Armond Morales at the International Hotel, 1969
This vintage Baume & Mercier 14k yellow gold wristwatch was a gift from Elvis to Imperials member Armond Morales. Elvis gave each member of The Imperials a Baume & Mercier personally engraved wristwatch in 1969 when they performed with him during his appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The receipt for the purchase of this watch is cataloged in the Graceland Archives collection. The watch is accompanied by an official letter from Armond Morales, which details the circumstances surrounding the gift, including misspellings of his name and the word “squirrelly.” The watch and letter also come with a copy of a 4-by-6 inch photo of Elvis and The Imperials. The watch is marked “Baume & Mercier / Geneve / Swiss” on the gold face. The textured gold surround on the dial with a quartz movement is mounted to a weave patterned gold bracelet with snap channel clasp. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.
1969/70 Elvis Presley's Gold, Diamond and Black Sapphire Ring - The "Number 10" Ring
This 14k gold ring has an open front, squared-back band that creates the number “10” on the finger or when laying on a flat surface. The “1” is a rectangular design containing 3 diamonds. The “0” is a large black cabochon star sapphire weighing approximately 2.5 carats, surrounded by 13 diamonds, each contained in its own channel. The ring, size 9, is accompanied by a letter from Richard Davis, a prominent employee of Elvis, which authenticates that “The King” both wore the ring and gave it to Davis as a gift. Also included in the lot are five 3 by 5 inch (7.62 by 12.7 cm) copies of pictures depicting Richard Davis and Elvis over the years. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.
Elvis Presley "Aztec" Ring with Jaguar Head
The Aztec-patterned, 14k yellow gold men’s ring contains an opaque green, chrysoberyl, calcite cabochon above a protruding stylized jaguar head set with green tourmaline eyes. This ring is offered with a letter from Sam Thompson authenticating that it was given to him by Elvis. In addition, the ring comes with a letter from Robert M. Triplett confirming that he purchased the ring directly from Sam Thompson and the name of the person to whom Robert traded the ring. The size 9 ring has an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000.
1973 Gold Omega TC1 Digital Watch with Inscription Gifted to Charlie Hodge from Elvis Presley
This futuristic style digital watch with LED screen on its rectangular face was produced by Omega as its TC1 (Time Computer) model. The watch, with 14k gold-filled bezel, quartz movement and 10k gold-filled top caps and deployment clasp, was gifted to Charlie Hodge by Elvis and is inscribed on the stainless steel back “To: Charlie From: E.P.” The buttons to set the minute and hour displays are located on the stainless steel back cover plate, and are activated by a magnet housed in a small compartment on the back of the watch’s clasp. Elvis purchased 30 watches for a total of $8,000 from Lowell Hayes on August 30, 1974, to give as gifts to friends and family. The receipt for the purchase of this watch is cataloged in the Graceland Archives. Also included is a photo of Elvis in 1974 in which one of his guys can be seen wearing this same watch. Its estimate is $4,000 - $6,000.
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