Elvis' black Karate Gi with "Kenpo Karate" tiger and dragon design patch on the left breast. The Gi shows heavy use and is presented without a belt or pants. Karate was an important part of Elvis Presley's life in the early 70s and Ed Parker was an instmmental friend and teacher to Elvis in this art. Ed Parker founded American Kenpo karate based on the original art that he teamed in Hawaii. The art is primarily a form of combat self-defense maneuvers, typically using circiilar motions, that resuits in a never-ending series of strikes to your opponent. After Ed Barker's students began teaching his version of Kenpo in other countries, the International Kenpo Karate Association was formed. The Gi was part of the famous Jimmy Velvet "Elvis Presley Museum" auction as Lot 1280 at the October 6-7, 1995, Butterfield & Butterfield Auction. The auction lot sticker is still on the provided photo of Elvis wearing the same style gi. In the printed catalog, Lot 1280 is empty—the Gi was inserted for auction after the catalog was printed and before the live event. This was a common practice in the era when printed catalogs had to be completed so far in advance.
The lot is listed in the "Prices Realized" document from Butterfield & Butterfield, included here with the original catalog.
Jimmy was a pioneer in the world of Elvis Presley collecting, acquiring thousands of items directly from Elvis' inner circle, friends and family for his museum.