This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/6/2009
Elvis Presley wore this two piece green and tan suit with intricate Indian beading while on tour in the mid-1970's. The suit, known as the “Penguin Suit” to his fans (after the first black and white version of the suit) was designed by Bill Belew specifically for Elvis and has the I.C. Costume Co. label on both the inside collar of the jacket and the inside waistband of the pants. Also attached is Elvis' last dry cleaning tag for the suit, marked with an "E" and a number. Elvis wore this suit while he was on tour, going to various venues. Elvis gave the suit to his personal friend Michael McCowan at the Las Vegas International Hilton when visiting him there. Elvis let McCowan pick out a suit he wanted from his vast collection hanging in his dressing room, and McCowan picked this one for its gorgeous Indian beading. The beading is solely on the jacket and can be found in the front and the back, in a "belt" style" as well as the cuffs. The beading is virtually completely intact save for a few beads missing here and there. Some of these beads have been saved and are included with the suit. Elvis has three other “Penguin” suits, all the same style but different colors. The first suit was black and white (thus the name), the others were dark blue and blue, dark brown and light brown, and this one, the tan (light brown) and green. A photograph of Elvis wearing the suit offered is shown here and comes with the suit (an image of the black and white suit is also shown here). Accompanying the suit is a signed letter from Michael McCowan attesting to Elvis having given him the suit as well as a signed copy of "Remember Elvis" by Joe Esposito (Elvis' road manager) who was friendly with McCowan at that time. The suit is in excellent condition with all the buttons, zippers and stitching intact. Estimate: $12,000 - $15,000. PLEASE NOTE: THE DESCRIPTION FOR THIS LOT WAS AMENDED FROM THE VERSION PRESENTED IN CATALOG.