Tuesday, July 06, 2021

July 06 - King of the Rings Volume 1

The book 'King of the Rings Volume 1' by Paul Belard will be (re)published by the Danish Memphis Mansion. This 250-page book will be published as a limited edition of 500 copies. 

From the press release:

Elvis liked expensive things: cars, motorcycles, clothes and jewelry. His jewels fit a King. He wore lavish pendants on heavy gold chains, large and lavish rings with rubies, sapphires, lapis lazuli and emeralds, gold bracelet and precious gemstones.

As Elvis himself, they were sometimes dazzlingly tasty and beautiful and other times flashy and wild. Occasionally, he designed the jewels himself, such as the famous TCB-Taking Care of Business pendant and ring.

He loved giving away his belongings to his nearest as well as to strangers. An expensive horseshoe was designed by Memphis jeweler Lowell Hayes, specially for Elvis to wear on stage during Aloha from Hawaii performance in 1973. Elvis gave the ring away a few years later. It was finally sold at auction in 2017 for US$ 204.800.

I always wondered why Elvis gave so many of his stuff away? Yes he was rich He had everything he could wish for. But many wealthy people don't give away anything. In fact, it is probably never enough.

Singer Robert Goulet described Elvis's penchant for generosity: "I remember once sitting behind the scenes for two hours. And he was a charming, lovely man. And at one point I said," It's a beautiful ring you have there." He said "Do you like it?" I said, "It's beautiful!" He took it off his finger and put it on mine. He gave me his ring."

So this is an amazing encyclopedia / story about Elvis and his jewelry! Jewelry that has fascinated fans around the world!

The book is available from the >>> Memphis Mansion webshop.

Read the review of the first edition on >>> Elvis Day By Day or >>> The Elvis Information Network.

(Source: Memphis Mansion / Paul Belard)