Elvis Presley, 'Master of Martial Arts,' promotes his stepbrother to green belt at the Tennessee Karate Institute
Spectacular DS, one page, 11 x 8.5, July 5, 1974. An official certificate of rank from the Tennessee Karate Institute (TKI) issued to David Stanley who “has attained the Rank of Green Belt.” Signed at the conclusion in black ballpoint by Elvis Presley as ‘Master of Martial Arts,’ and countersigned by Ben Edwards as ‘Chief Instructor,’ and by distinguished American Kenpo Karate founder Ed Parker as a second ‘Master of Martial Arts.’ The certificate, numbered “001,” features a pair of opposing loong dragons facing bottom central text: “Way of the Warrior.” Framed and in fine condition. Accompanied by four photos of Presley wearing his Karate gi, and a ticket for the Ed Parker presented International Karate Championships held at the Long Beach Arena on August 7, 1977. Originates from the estate of famed Dallas disc jockey, Eddie Fadal who was a very close friend of Elvis. The relationship between the two was so close that Fadal built an addition on his home for Presley to use as private quarters when on leave from Fort Hood. Included in this lot are two vintage snapshots, originating from the Fadal estate, in which you can see the Karate certificate as it was displayed in the home.
Items related to Presley’s passion for martial arts are exceptionally rare, with rank promotion certificates such as this—signed by Presley for his own Karate institute—placed in a special category all their own given their intimate connection to Elvis’s ‘Golden Years,’ a four-year period of peace and spiritual contentment for ‘the King.’
Presley's lifelong study of Karate began in 1958 while stationed in Germany, where he studied under Jurgen Seydel, and he took private lessons during his time off with one of Japan’s top Shotokan stylists, Tetsuji Murakami. From 1970-1974, Presley trained under Master Kang Rhee in Memphis, Tennessee, eventually receiving his 8th Degree San Black Belt certificate at a private ceremony on September 16, 1974—less than two months before signing this certificate for his stepbrother, David E. Stanley.
Stanley was 4 years old when he met Presley and moved into Graceland. One of three stepsons of Elvis’s father Vernon Presley, Stanley relocated to the mansion after his mother Dee divorced his father to marry Vernon. Stanley’s life would be forever shaped by that moment—from the early days of Elvis’s welcoming ways to touring with the legend as his bodyguard and witnessing his tragic downfall and death.
In 1960, Elvis met the ‘Father of American Kenpo,’ Ed Parker, at the Wilshire Beverly Hills Hotel after a Karate demonstration. Parker introduced Elvis to Hank Slomanski, an instructor at Fort Campbell to test for his black belt. It was Slomanski who promoted Elvis to 'Black Belt' on July 21, 1960, and personally gave Elvis his own personal black belt when he promoted him. He is said to have sent word back to Parker: 'Your boy ain't pretty anymore, but he's a black belt.’ In addition to being Presley’s personal martial arts instructor, Parker worked as his bodyguard in the 1970s. As a result, Parker was often by his side when Presley was doing concert tours.
The certificate is encased in a double sided glass frame, but it can be removed upon request.
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