Here’s the press release:
NEW YORK (ACNI) – A powerful lineup of auctions featuring Internet bidding through LiveAuctioneers produced headline-grabbing results over the weekend. In Florida-based Affiliated Auctions’ Dec. 6 sale, an online bidder paid $122,050 (inclusive of buyer’s premium) to acquire a 10-carat diamond ring that Elvis Presley took from his hand and gave to a fan during a 1975 concert.
The unique and heavily documented piece of Elvis Presley-worn memorabilia was given to the consignor, Lloyd Perry, by the singer during a concert in Asheville, N.C. Its impressive assemblage of provenance included concert photos and tickets; a signed 1975 book referencing the onstage gift, and copies of newspapers carrying the story of the remarkable event the day after the concert.
“It’s very exciting to see an item purchased through LiveAuctioneers that represents such an iconic event in pop culture history,” said LiveAuctioneers CEO Julian R. Ellison. “Elvis Presley was known for his generosity to fans, but the ring purchased through LiveAuctioneers was special, in that it was accompanied by the most extensive, ironclad provenance any buyer could ever hope for. We’re delighted that LiveAuctioneers played a role in this transaction, and we congratulate Affiliated Auctions on a fantastic sale.”
2 Comments
The best Elvis story came after his death when another Asheville concert had been sold out in advance. Asked about what he would do, then Civic Center promoter Bill Murphy famously replied:
"We’re going to put a sequined jacket on a stand on stage, and play Elvis music for 3 hours. Then when the show ends we’ll cut the house lights and announce, ‘Elvis’ jacket has left the building’."
Ah, Elvis in Asheville. What a run he had:
http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2005/0727elvis.php