Elvis cigar among singer's items up for auction

The 'Villiger Kell' German-branded cigar was handed to the collector by Elvis in 1972 before the singer entered the lift at The Oakland Hilton Inn

Several of Elvis Presley's personal items, including a jumpsuit that "still has sweat marks on it", are to be auctioned in Grimsby.

All belonging to one man, 100 lots of Elvis memorabilia, 40 of which are said to be personal, will go under the hammer on 11 December at Prestige Auctions.

Items include the American singer and actor's silver ring, one of his favourite cigars, his dad's wristwatch, and part of the microphone stand he used to record some of his hits.

Carl Vince, auctioneer and owner of Prestige Auctions, said they were "very privileged" to have been chosen by the client to auction the items.

A suit worn by Elvis during some of his Las Vegas concerts in 1970 is going to auction in Grimsby

Mr Vince said the items had come "from reputable sources, with strict authenticity from leading groups".

He said the client selling the memorabilia was not local to Grimsby and had been collecting it since the 1960s.

"The client said he's loved the collection for many years but no members of his family have any interest in it so it's time to go to other collectors who enjoy it," Mr Vince said.

The sterling silver ring was owned and worn by Elvis Presley in the mid to late 1960s

He added: "We are very privileged to have this auction, it could have gone to many big auction rooms but he chose to keep it local."

Mr Vince said the auction would attract international attention and they were hoping to "put the spotlight on Grimsby".

A YouTube video was put up by Prestige Auctions last week announcing the Elvis auction.

A viewing auction is set to take place on 6 December when the auction room also hopes to hold an open mic event with Elvis impersonators singing his songs.

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