TCB Necklace - who did it??

[ultimix]

Okay - I am a little confused right now -

I know Dennis Roberts did Elvis' sunglasses, but on his site it says that he also did the TCB pendant as well. Now on another site from a Memphis jewler - Lowell Hays Jewelers - says Elvis got his TCB pendants from them. Which is the right one?? - or did Elvis get them from both these people. I would love to know the story..

I am thinking about getting one and really want to get the orginal source for the TCB pendant

thanks for any info

Mark

[SouthPaw]

Dennis never made the TCB's when Elvis was alive though he does say he made Elvis a larger TCB that is being used on the tail of the Lisa Marie. No one seems to recall that though. (h) Dennis is a great salesman and he did make his mark in Elvis world with the glasses.

Elvis got them from S&A originally in LA then later from Lowell Hayes in Memphis. I own both a S&A from 1971 and a Lowell Hayes one from 1976, each is different.

S&A - thinner and pointer Lightening Bolt

Hayes - rounder & thicker lightening bolt

Roberts - more like a S&A but uses a small mm chain than the original ones.

[Captain Elwood David]

SP has pretty much got this one covered.

EP designed the FIRST (Prototypes, if you will) with S&A out in California. The original sketches for the first pendants were sold to a private collector around the mid-90's, and have since changed hands.

Later, EP approached LH out in Memphis to re-design the S&A version, due to some minor differences that EP preferred (less pointed / sharp ends, etc.).

EP seems to have preferred the latter versions, but only S&A and LH were the true original manufacturers that EP regularly acquired his pendants from.

-----------------------

Roberts' version is larger and slightly different (with color added to the letters on some, etc.), ............. and there are indeed photos of EP wearing the Roberts version in 1973. I don't agree with the claims that Roberts' version is the one used for the Convair ............ it is the LH version (IMO).

EP gave Roberts an "original" TCB necklace right off his neck when Roberts asked for permission to incorporate the design into insignias for EP's tradmark sunglasses (he turned them horizontally and added to the frames).


------------------------

True original source = S&A

EP's preferred version = L&H

I suppose you will have to take your pick based on the above.


- Capt. "EL."

[SouthPaw]

Mark, I would go with a Lowell Hays, from www.elvisjeweler.com.

His son Price is very respectable, Lowell is since part-time, semi-retired. If you order it from them they will ship it very well but if possible I would stop in their store in Memphis and view the Elvis pieces he has reproduced for show, namely the TCB ring, this is the closest one can get to the exact ring from the people who made it for Elvis. Also he has reproduced Ginger's engagement ring too for viewing. They also have some other pieces he made for Elvis though my mind forgets what they were exactly.

Price is very fair and will treat you right. Tell him SKMcCarty sent you! (h)

[ultimix]

Thanks for the info!!!

Mark