Collectors with a passion for presidential history now have the chance to acquire items once tied to some of America’s most recognizable leaders — though the opportunity is unlikely to come cheap.
In connection with the nation’s 250th-anniversary commemorations, Bonhams is offering pieces from the Louise Taper Collection, widely regarded as one of the country’s leading private collections of presidential memorabilia.
Among the lots expected to draw attention are Ronald Reagan’s baseball cap and one of Lyndon B. Johnson’s signature fedoras, both of which are anticipated to command sizable bids in the auction, which opened June 14.
The auction house describes the sale as “a tightly curated selection of historical Americana,” featuring notable manuscripts, printed materials and presidential artifacts.
Also included in the collection is what is described as the earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights, with an estimated value of $8,000 to $12,000.
Congress passed 12 proposed amendments to the Constitution on September 25, 1789. Days later, on October 2, George Washington sent official engrossed copies to the 13 states for ratification.
The complete text was published the next day on page three of The Gazette of the United States, and that historic issue is also being offered in the sale.
Other notable lots include Reagan’s signed Marine One presidential baseball cap, expected to bring between $800 and $1,200, as well as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s pocket watch.
As part of the 250th‑anniversary celebrations, Bonhams are auctioning off collectibles from the Louise Taper Collection, including Ronald Reagan’s baseball cap. Reagan is seen with the hat in 1985
Reagan’s signed Marine One presidential baseball cap is estimated to sell for between $800 and $1,200
The latter features an 18–karat three–quarter plate movement, gold cuvette, white enamel dial with Roman numerals and is estimated to sell for $20,000 to $30,000.
The backplate is engraved with: ‘Alfred Pell 1873 / G.E.P. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1901’ and it’s accompanied by a gold watch chain and attached gold–mounted pen knife.
‘This historically significant personal item relates to Franklin D. Roosevelt during his formative years as a young member of one of New York’s prominent political families,’ reads a description.
‘The 1901 inscription places the piece at a pivotal period in Roosevelt’s early adulthood, the same year he entered Harvard University as an upperclassman and shortly before he formally began his legal studies at Columbia Law School.’
Also on sale is Roosevelt’s iconic silk top hat, which he wore during his first inauguration. It is estimated to sell for upwards of $20,000.
His straw Knox boater is also up for sale, which was gifted by Eleanor Roosevelt to Mr and Mrs Lester Entrup as a gift of service for their years as caretakers, cooks and household staff.
Roosevelt was frequently photographed wearing straw boaters during the earlier decades of his political career, particularly in informal summer settings.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Caxton fedora, said to be ‘a hallmark of Eisenhower’s classic mid–century American presidential style’ is also available.
Also on sale is Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Roosevelt straw Knox boater is also up for sale, which was gifted by Eleanor Roosevelt to Mr and Mrs Lester Entrup as a gift of service for their years as caretakers, cooks and household staff
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Roosevelt was frequently photographed wearing straw boaters during the earlier decades of his political career, particularly in informal summer settings. He’s seen left in 1920 and right in 1915
Also on sale is Roosevelt’s iconic silk top hat, which he wore during his first inauguration. It is estimated to sell for upwards of $20,000
Roosevelt is seen leaving the capitol following the inaugural ceremony in March 1933
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Caxton fedora, said to be ‘a hallmark of Eisenhower’s classic mid–century American presidential style’ is also available
Eisenhower is seen waving his hat before he boarded a plane in July 1956
In addition, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s dessert plate from the state dinner service made for President Roosevelt is up for grabs with a starting bid of $2,400.
The listing said she ‘likely kept the FDR dessert plate as a deeply personal emblem of the political lineage, shared history, and mutual respect that connected the Roosevelt and Kennedy families.’
Other items include Eisenhower’s handkerchief and the 1782 Niderviller Service china owned by George Washington.
The latter is estimated to sell for $50,000 to $80,000 and is described as ‘exceptionally rare’ in the listing.
‘This is believed to be the only example of the Washingtons’ Niderviller china ever to appear at auction, with other known pieces held in major institutional collections, including Tudor Place in Washington, D.C.,’ it says.
The collection – expected to fetch over $1.2 million in total – is running online until June 23.
