The offered Elvis Presley owned black satin shirt was gifted to his Graceland maid Nancy Rooks during the first or second year of his return to the stage at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. It shows signs of heavy use, with discoloration from sweat at the collar and underarm areas. The size "M" shirt was produced by "Tempo The California Shirt," and Nancy Rooks' accompanying letter states "This shirt was given to Elvis maid in 1969 or 70th [
sic] - it is a beautiful black shirt. Your Truly, Nancy Rooks. [postscript] I am also sending you a picture of me; and the shirt with a belt of Elvis on the picture."
There is indeed a photo of Nancy attached to the letter of authenticity which shows her smiling broadly at the airport on her way to Las Vegas to see Elvis at The International. The other photo referenced is not included, and it probably ended up with the belt mentioned. The shirt was purchased by a collector in 1989, through Marty Lacker and his wife Patsy, and a notarized copy of Marty's letter of authenticity from that sale is included. It reads: "This is to confirm that I was a close associate of Elvis Presley, and that this satin shirt (Black) and red scarf and white scarf were all owned and worn by Elvis." Adhered to the 1989 letter is a photo of Marty holding up the offered shirt.
During the period of his triumphant return to the concert stage in 1969, Elvis can regularly be seen wearing shirts of this style in various colors. He is seen in photographs with Priscilla taken during their time in the Bahamas in 1969 wearing this exact "Tempo" brand shirt in a different color. Even in the lower resolution photo, the shirt's details, like the collar enclosure loop hanging from the left side and the subtle oval pattern, can be discerned. When Elvis liked a style of shirt, it was quite common for him to buy and wear it in several different colors. The offered shirt represents a near-perfect example of Elvis' personal style at the time he was gracing the stage at The International Hotel in that first summer of Las Vegas shows in 1969. The shirt was an icy-cool, sophisticatedly casual and sleek look that exemplified the changing styles as the swinging 60s rolled over into the more overwrought feel of the fashion of the 1970s. Included with the shirt are modern copies of two photos showing Elvis wearing similar garments in the period.
The size medium shirt measures 29 1/2 inches long and 17 inches between the shoulder seams. It presents with some moderate toning/fading in several areas of the shirt, but the discoloration on the collar and underarms is certainly sweat-related. This wear is evident in the photos from 1989, so this is most-likely from Elvis himself, and may be the reason he gifted the shirt to Nancy Rooks in the first place. That said, the fabric remains subtle and intact, and the shirt's pattern of small ovals is still clearly visible. Excellent condition.