This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/5/2023
Offered is an ornate Native American choker necklace stage-worn by Elvis Presley in 1975. After a show in Las Vegas, Elvis gifted the necklace to J.D. Sumner's wife, Mary Sumner. The necklace is accompanied by an LOA from their daughter Shirley Sumner Enoch that reads in part:
In the 1970's, Elvis' stage attire had changed somewhat from his typical jumpsuits that he became famous for. In 1975, Elvis occasionally wore a variety of choker-type necklaces with his costumes. One choker in particular that he wore on stage was this primitively made southwestern choker, in Navajo style, appearing to be made of bone hair-pipe black tubes, small red coral and black heishi beads with silver spacers. There are three oval coral Concho's in silver metal, which completes this design. (This statement is noit to verify use of authentic materials used in this artifact, but that is made in the style, and colors true to Native American jewelry.) One night in Elvis's suite at the Las Vegas Hilton, my mother, Mary Sumner, commented to Elvis about the choker he had just worn on stage. Before the evening was over, Elvis gave it to my mother as a gift from him. She owned it the rest of her life, and it was passed on to me. It has been in my possession since then.
Elvis donned similar Native American necklaces on stage for at least 13 straight days while touring that summer in 1975, from July 12 in Charleston, West Virgina through July 24 in Asheville, North Carolina (a photo from one of these shows is shown at left where Elvis wore a similar necklace). The next shows were the ill-fated Las Vegas Summer Festival that started on August 18 and ran only through August 20, but Elvis is seen in at least two of the five shows still wearing these necklaces. The necklace measure 25 inches in length, including the leather laces. Shows signs of moderate wear. Near Mint condition.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.