Michael Zuk has been known to be a bit of a collector but a recent purchase by the Red Deer dentist could see him proclaimed the “King’s Crown” of collectables.
Elvis Presley was always known for what came out of his mouth and that is why Zuk bought a broken porcelain tooth, which formally belonged to the king of rock and roll.
Zuk recently drew publicity when he purchased another famous singer’s rotten tooth.
His previous purchase of John Lennon’s tooth made for some interesting conversations but this time it could turn into a budding collection.
He purchasing the Elvis tooth from a U.K. auction house last weekend.
“The Lennon tooth was such a neat purchase and opened many different opportunities for me that I decided to increase my bid. I got the phone call on Saturday telling me I had the top bid on the (Elvis) crown and won it.”
The tooth was made by Henry J. Weiss, Presley’s dentist until 1971. The tooth is affectionately called the “King’s Crown” and was worn by Presley until he cracked it on a microphone while performing in Las Vegas in 1971.
Dr. Weiss’ son flew a new porcelain tooth out to Presley the next day and the cracked one has been kept for safe keeping ever since.
Zuk, who purchased the Lennon tooth for $31,000, didn’t have to go quite so far for the King’s Crown. Zuk put in a bid of just over $8,200.
“I put the bid on it thinking it was a spare tooth but found out it was the one he had cracked,” said Zuk. “It makes it more valuable knowing he had worn it.”
Zuk has been asked to participate in a movie related to celebrity DNA and worked with a local photographer who is entering pictures of the Lennon tooth into an international competition.
“I was a fan of both people and they were icons during the years I was growing up. I think I am going to continue to collect teeth if there are some interesting ones out there and try to get other dentists involved.”
Zuk also collects old dentist posters and also has a full size replica of a T-Rex dinosaur that he thinks is pretty neat, said Zuk.
“The teeth are something I can bring along to lectures and talks,” said Zuk. “I plan on having some fun with it.”
cpapke@www.reddeeradvocate.com