Mystery Belt???

[Leroy]

I need some help here. I guess you're all familiar with the 1972 picture with Elvis (dressed in the "Black Pyramyd") surrounded by J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quarted. He's wearing a huge belt. A friend of mine told me that this belt was actualy black and white but I find that hard to believe. Who can tell me more about it, maybe someone saw this belt for real and can explain the colours to me.
Or someone might have a color picture of it????

[Captain Elwood David]

Generally speaking:

There are a number of very rare 70's belts out there, by virtue of them only being worn in Vegas (no photography allowed) & / or EP giving them away shortly after using (which was definitely one of his habits particularly in 1972-73).

Your best bet would be to find out the fate of the actual original belt (primary source and / or who has it now).

That said, some private collectors may not be cooperative (for a number of reasons).


- Capt. "EL."

PS - Have said it before, ....... a tip of my hat, Leroy.

Good eyes. ;)

[Leroy]

I'm affraid you're right as usual. But on the other hand new discoveries are made almost every other day. Just when you think: "This is it!", something "new" comes along. For instance, yesterday, by accident I discovered a second version of the "Chain Suit" .

But in the case of the belt it's true that it's been worn in the wrong period (Vegas) Anyway I'm not going to hold my breath while I'm waiting.

[Captain Elwood David]

Excellent work on the two "Chain" stage suits, Leroy; Outstanding!

Things in reality are usually like that ----> right in front of you, until you actually notice it (but were never able to "see" before). Something that is so powerful when you first figure it out, ........ looks deceptively simple & so easy with 20 / 20 hindsight.

Good stuff ........ you are definitely the man in the Jumpsuit department.

Quite a few more gems out there with untold stories. Happy Hunting ........ it's all part of the fun.


- Capt. "EL."

[MysteryTrain]

Hi Leroy.
I think i must agree with you. At first i tought that this belt was black and white, but i tried to remove all the other white/grey parts of Elvis costume. This way i was able to only focuse on the white/grey part on the front of the belt. And then i started to agree with you. It seems like the grey/withe part is only refelction of the light, so i agree 100% with your teory. The belt seem to be black, and im pretty sure the design was gold on the belt, as it would fit the suit.

[Lonniebealestreet]

For whatever it's worth, there is another photo taken just before or just after this one that I've also only ever seen in b/w. So you're left with your good detective work to make the determination. (y)

[Leroy]

In that case I'm going to make that belt the way it is described to me until better information will come my way. This is going to be exiting. Thank you all for this input thusfar.

[Leroy]

Well, this is what I got. I just followed the description I got...until.......:hmm:

[Captain Elwood David]

That's interesing, Leroy.

FWIW, ..... based on the one pic. posted on this thread ----> the belt buckle looks like it has some sort of laminated or glazed front to it (as seen by the odd reflection it is giving off in the lights).

As a result, I can't make out the full design.

Just a thought, but Belew would be your man to contact for specifics on this & others (he would also be critical to any project / book that is jumpsuit related).

Fascinating. Keep up the good work, Leroy, ....... I for one love what you do & bring to the various MB's.


- Capt. "EL."

[Leroy]

Captain, the picture I uploaded with my post is a modified picture. That is what caused the somewhat shiny effect on the belt buckle. I have another one here from a magazine where that glazed look doesn't appear and that's the one I used as an example for my latest work. The problem I'm facing here is the fact that the details are so tiny it's hard to figure it out completely. And off course the already known fact that we do not have a color picture of it. I will try to make a scan of the picture I have so you can see the differences with the above picture.

The thought of contacting The Master Bill Belew himself went trough my mind until I saw and read some interviews and articles. Funny thing is that the man, dispite the fact he is The Source of it all, he doesn't seem to have the slightest clue what he's talking about. Maybe it's because in those days (when the suits were made) it wasn't that important as it became now.
But after the interview I wasn't any wiser than I was before. In fact I was disappointed. The same goes for the articles I read. It didn't give me anything I didn't already knew. On the other hand he might have the possibility to give some detailed info about how some items looked. Do you have any information about how I can reach this man?

[Captain Elwood David]

.... the picture I uploaded with my post is a modified picture. That is what caused the somewhat shiny effect on the belt buckle.
Thanks for the clarification there. I was wondering what the heck that was.


The thought of contacting The Master Bill Belew himself went trough my mind until I saw and read some interviews and articles. Funny thing is that the man, dispite the fact he is The Source of it all, he doesn't seem to have the slightest clue what he's talking about. Maybe it's because in those days (when the suits were made) it wasn't that important as it became now.
LOL!!

I have personally never contacted nor spoken to Belew, but ....... I certainly respect your words here. FWIW, it isn't a first ------> even some that were there can sometimes be missing pieces to the equation for various reasons. In Belew's case, ... I think that he had others with oversight (see below) into E's garmets simply because he was so busy at the time (E wasn't his only client / responsibilities.)

I would think that access to Belew's archives would be critical for the historical record. Surely, there must be something.


But after the interview I wasn't any wiser than I was before. In fact I was disappointed. The same goes for the articles I read. It didn't give me anything I didn't already knew. On the other hand he might have the possibility to give some detailed info about how some items looked. Do you have any information about how I can reach this man?
If I were you, I'd try going thru B&K to get to Belew; another alternative is Gene Doucette (via the same). I suspect that many of the answers that you are searching for can be found by this means.

Good Luck, ......... on multiple levels.


- Capt. "EL."