Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker’s ‘Lost’ Jewelry Coming to Auction

The sale includes pieces “The King” gifted to his longtime manager, as well as jewelry Elvis owned and wore on stage.

Michelle Graff michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com

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Colonel Tom Parker’s 18-karat yellow gold Omega Constellation is one of the pieces up for auction later this month at “The Lost Collection of Colonel Tom Parker & Elvis Presley” sale. Parker was the singer’s longtime manager. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

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Gifted to Parker by “The Little Colonel” in 1971, the watch marks a significant time in Elvis’ career, as he was touring and had begun his legendary residency at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Minimum bid is $5,000. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

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Los Angeles—Jewelry belonging to “the man who made Elvis Presley”—Colonel Tom Parker—that was believed to be lost for decades is coming to auction.

Held by Kruse GWS Auctions, “The Lost Collection of Colonel Tom Parker & Elvis Presley” auction is scheduled for Aug. 27 in Los Angeles.

The sale will feature more than 40 pieces of jewelry Elvis either gave to Parker, had made for Parker, or were gifted to Parker by friends and associates in show business who were connected to Elvis.

They serve as a kind of timeline tracing the progression of Elvis’ career and sometimes tumultuous relationship with Parker, who became the megastar’s manager in 1956 and remained a confidante throughout his career.

The relationship between Elvis and Parker, in fact, is the central theme of “Elvis,” the new movie about the singer’s life starring Cartier ambassador Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Parker, with the movie told from Parker’s perspective.

One of the most important pieces in the collection, according to Kruse GWS Auctions, is a 37 mm 14-karat yellow gold Vacheron Constantin watch given to Parker by brothers Julian and Jean Aberbach, the founders of music publishing house Hill and Range.

The Aberbachs were instrumental in Elvis’ transition from Sun Records in Memphis to RCA Records in New York, a move that elevated him from a regional sensation to a national star and benefitted the brothers as well, as they secured the publishing rights for many of his biggest hits.

Known as the “Aberbach Watch,” the words “With love from Julian and Jean” are inscribed on the caseback.

SEE: Tom Parker and Elvis’ Jewelry

Colonel Tom Parker’s Vacheron Constantin watch from Julian and Jean Aberbach has a 14-karat gold case and a gold-filled stainless steel stretch bracelet. The dial reads “Vacheron & Constantin,” indicating the watch was made before 1970, when the company dropped the “&.” (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

The caseback of Parker’s Vacheron watch is inscribed “With love from Julian and Jean.” Minimum bid on the watch is $5,000. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

Elvis Presley bought Parker these custom snowman cufflinks at the Bernard Hurtig boutique in Honolulu, Hawaii. Minimum bid on the pair is $2,500. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

New York jeweler Danker & Sons made the bell medallion Elvis and Priscilla Presley gave to Parker’s first wife, Marie Mott, for the couple’s anniversary. Minimum bid is $1,000. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

Danker & Sons name can be seen at the top of the pendant and its maker’s mark at the bottom. Priscilla is said to have personally had this piece engraved. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

Hotel magnate Barron Hilton gave this 14-karat yellow gold ring with colored gemstones and diamonds (0.75 total carat weight) to Parker as a thank you for booking Elvis to perform in Las Vegas in the late ‘60s and ‘1970s, a residency that continues to shape Las Vegas entertainment today. The Hilton logo is featured at center and “COL” is engraved on the band. Minimum bid is $5,000. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

The auction also includes pieces of Elvis’ personal jewelry, like this 18-karat gold and diamond musical note/record ring with what is described as a “blue stone.” Minimum bid is $15,000. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)

Another piece in the auction commemorates one of The King’s later successes, 1973’s “Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii,” the first live performance ever telecast worldwide.

While in Hawaii, Elvis bought the colonel a pair of 14-karat two-tone gold, diamond and ruby snowman cufflinks.

A nod to Parker’s self-given nickname, “The Snowman,” the cufflinks were custom-made and even depict the snowmen smoking cigars, which Parker liked to do.

The collection also includes a number of pieces of elephant jewelry Elvis gave him—Parker, who started his career as a carnival worker, was particularly fond of the pachyderm—and a medallion Elvis and Priscilla gifted Parker’s first wife, Marie Mott, for their anniversary.

Parker was married to Mott from 1935 until her death in 1986.

The medallion is 14-karat yellow gold with ruby and diamond accents. Priscilla personally had the words “Happy Anniversary Aunt Marie Love Elvis & Priscilla” engraved on the back, said the auction house.