Offered are a pair of Elvis Presley's Neostyle Nautic sunglasses with his original prescription. Based on the photos presented here, Elvis wore these on stage and before and after several shows in October 1974, both in Detroit, Michigan (October 4) and in Dayton, Ohio (October 5 and 6). The photos at right show Elvis wearing what appear to be these exact style of Neostyle's, with the same color lenses. Once Elvis started wearing prescription sunglasses in the early 1970s, he immediately gravitated, of course, to the coolest styles available. The offered Neostyle "RO 200" style glasses are no ezxception. Based on an interview with the creator of the Nautic glasses, Neostyle designer Konstantin Livas, he recounts how Elvis first saw the sunglasses: "NEOSTYLE also successfully launched the NAUTIC in the USA. Elvis saw them at his opticians on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles. He liked them so much he ordered 5 there and then a further 3 solid gold frames ornately embellished on temples."
The glasses were originally purchased by our consignor from Arie Dadyan. Dadyan who worked for Dennis Roberts at "Optique Boutique," Dennis' store in West Hollywood, California. Roberts made a large number of Elvis' prescription and custom sunglasses, such as his iconic "TCB" sunglasses. The letter signed by Artie Dadyan reads in part:
Elvis wold often bring glasses in for repair. They were sometimes dropped or accidentally sat on. If Dennis ever saw Elvis wearing a pair that were scratched or scuffed in any way, he would take them from Elvis and replace them with a new pair. Dennis was smart enough to know that any pair of glasses that he received for repair were glasses that had actually been worn by Elvis, and were therefore special. It is for this reason that he replaced them for Elvis with a new pair. Over the years Dennis accumulated several pairof Elvis personally worn glasses. These gold Nautic glasses contain Elvis Presley's orignal prescription lenses. They were made for, owned and worn by Elvis.
Stamped into the right arm is “NEOSTYLE MADE IN GERMANY 140”, and in the left arm “140 RO 200 822 60•18”. “140” and “60•18” refer to the arm size and lens width and distance between the lenses, respectively. The glasses measure 5 ½ x 5 ½ inches and present with moderate to heavy use, but have no damage. Near Mint condition.