Lot #1: Incredible Elvis Presley Stage-Worn 18K Gold Watch with 26 Diamonds Gifted to J.D. Sumner

Visit http://rockhurstauctions.com/ to view this lot and the rest of the lots in our August 27, 2020 BIG 50 Auction of Extraordinary Elvis Presley Memorabilia from His Life and Career.

Offered is one of the most significant and well-documented pieces of Elvis Presley stage-worn jewelry to ever be offered at public auction. It's Elvis' 18K gold "EBEL" watch with a massive 18K gold band and face surrounded by 26 diamonds which he wore on stage a number of times before giving it to J.D. Sumner, who also wore it on stage with Elvis. The watch has an extra, engraved section of the band that was added for J.D.'s larger wrists (he stood 6'5" tall!) that reads "From Elvis to J.D. Sumner 1974."

Normally the documentation for an Elvis artifact consists with a bill of sale or later letter from the original recipient or one of their family members, and this watch certainly has each of those items. What this treasure also has is period photographic and documentary proof that details the story of Elvis gifting the watch to J.D. Included is the full page feature story about J.D. Sumner from the December 27, 1974, issue of The Nashville Banner newspaper where J.D. recounts the story of Elvis giving him the watch, and the features story includes two full-color photos of the watch on J.D.'s wrist.

Also included are several modern copies of photos showing Elvis and then J.D. wearing the watch on stage. One is a glorious shot of Elvis with his cape spread wide and the offered watch resplendent on his left wrist.

Accompanying the watch, as stated above are an October 30, 1979, "Statement of Authenticity" prepared by J.D. Sumner when he was preparing th sell the watch, a copy of the November 29, 1979, "BILL OF SALE" between J.D. and Mike Moon when the watch and several other pieces were sold, and a letter from J.D.'s daughter Shirley Sumner Enoch attesting the watch's provenance and authenticity.

The October 30, 1979, "Statement of Authenticity" reads:

"I, J.D. Sumner, of 113 Bear Track Trail, Nashville, Tennessee 37221, do solemnly swear the information contained in this statement of authenticity and the facts surrounding it are true, so help me, God. FACT* One of the first gifts the late Elvis Presley ever gave to J.D. Sumner was a personal gold wristwatch, accented by 26 of the most perfect diamonds in the world, and a ring to match it. This was in 1972, Elvis, as he often did when he felt generous, took the watch off an handed it to J.D. He walked to his jewelry box, reached in for the gold ring, made especially to match the watch and said, 'Here take the ring, also, it goes with the watch.' (The "26" on the letter was corrected with a small piece of paper glued over the top-oh the glory of typing before computers!)"

The watch measures 9 inches long and over an inch wide. The face of the face of the watch measures 1 1/4 x 1 1/8 inches. The 26 diamonds each measures 3 mm across. The watch weighs 127.9 grams (but that does include the instrument itself) and presents with moderate wear in the form of subtle scuffs on the back. The watch is in working order. Near Mint condition.