#6270 • Elvis Presley's Racquet Used Morning of His Death

Part of Iconic Film & Music Memorabilia Auction (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $10,000-$15,000 Elvis Presley's Personally Owned Racquetball Racquet Used the Morning of His Death W/COA From Mike Moon Investments (Displayed at Elvis Museum Nearly 30 Years) - This racquetball racquet was personally owned by the King of Rock n' Roll, Elvis Presley. Elvis began playing racquetball after learning the game from his trusted physician Dr. Nick's son, and would often bond over the game with his family and trusted entourage the Memphis Mafia. This racquet was used by Elvis in the early hours of the morning of his tragic death, during a racquetball game at Graceland played with his cousin and best friend Billy Smith. Elvis couldn’t sleep, and asked Billy and his wife to play a game with he and his girlfriend Ginger Alden in the early hours of the morning on August 16th, 1977. Elvis gave the racquet to his cousin Billy before heading to bed that morning. This piece will be accompanied by a certificate from Mike L. Moon Investments, who states that he purchased the racquet directly from Billy in the early 1980s. Mr. Moon was once the owner of Elvis’ backing band the Stamps Quartet, and began collecting Elvis memorabilia in 1971 after a meeting with Elvis where he was gifted a belt straight from Elvis’ waist. Upon Elvis' death, J.D. Sumner encouraged Mr. Moon to open the first Elvis Presley Museum beyond the gates of Graceland, and other members of Elvis’ entourage (including Charlie Hodge, Billy Smith and Ed Enoch) made pieces available to him. Mike Moon expanded his collection for over two decades, eventually earning its prestigious title of “World’s Largest Private Collection of Elvis Memorabilia”. Mr. Moon displayed this racquet in his Elvis Museum for nearly 30 years. The racquet will also come with a letter of provenance from a private collector who purchased the racquet from the Mike Moon collection and is very well respected in the Elvis Presley memorabilia community. To view the documentation or request further information regarding the provenance or authenticity of this piece, please email brigitte@gwsauctions.com.