The prolific photo-journal publisher, Paul Belard will shortly release, Elvis King of the Rings Volume 1.
The book description: Elvis liked expensive things: cars, motorcycles, clothes, and jewelry. His jewels befitted a king. He wore sumptuous pendants hung on heavy gold chains; huge lavish rings dripping of rubies, sapphires, lapis lazuli, and emeralds; bracelets of gold and precious gems. Like Elvis himself, they were at times dazzlingly tasteful and things of beauty, and at other times flashy, ostentatious, in your face.
The singer Robert Goulet described Elvis’ penchant for generosity: “I remember once we sat together backstage for two hours. And he was a charming, delightful man. And at one point I said, “That’s a beautiful ring you have there.” He said, “You like it?” I said, “It’s beautiful!” He took it off his hand and put it on mine. He gave me his ring.”
Elvis’ entourage had this line down pat: “Elvis, this ring is beautiful.” And Elvis would remove it from his finger and give it away. Was he taken advantage of? The answer is yes, as quite a few of the rings that show up at auctions were gifted to members of his coterie.