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Elvis Karate Suit Auctioned

March 12, 2003 | Other
An Elvis karate suit is being auctioned, if you have the spare estimated US $12,000.00 - US $18,000.00 you might have a chance. Kang Rhee special ordered several karate gis for Elvis Presley; some for routine practice, other more elaborate uniforms for demonstrations and exhibitions. Presley kept uniformas at all three locations of Kang Rhee's school and at Graceland; Rhee also kept some at his home. When Rhee traveled with Elvis in the early 1970s, he was assigned to carry Elvis's uniforms so that the King could exercise at his convenience. This uniform is the rarer "demonstration" gi.

The set contains three items:
1. White sailcloth cotton jacket with red satin trim to lapel and hem, with labels reading "Tae Guck" and "Size 5 made in Korea," with "TCB Faith Spirit Discipline" patch over left breast, crown/fist patch on left wrist, and "Kang Rhee" patch to back,signed in English and Korean by Kang Rhee beneath "TCB" patch, very light soiling, otherwise fine.

2. White cotton sailcloth pants with drawstring waist, size 5, with labels reading "Tiger Claw" and "Made in Taiwan R.O.C.," with flared legs secured with three braided buttons in red, white, and black, flare vent and cuffs trimmed in black and red piping, minor soiling, including what appears to be body makeup residue to interior pants legs.

3. Red satin obi (measurements), with black cotton ends, with embroidered "Elvis Presley' to one end and "Tiger" with Korean and Chinese Characters to the other, in very fine condition.

Kang Rhee special ordered several karate gis for Elvis Presley; some for routine practice, other more elaborate uniforms for demonstrations and exhibitions. Presley kept uniformas at all three locations of Kang Rhee's school and at Graceland; Rhee also kept some at his home. When Rhee traveled with Elvis in the early 1970s, he was assigned to carry Elvis's uniforms so that the King could exercise at his convenience. This uniform is the rarer "demonstration" gi. With the uniform are three color photos of Presley with Kang Rhee in the karate gi.
Source:Ebay