History buffs can now own a piece of their favorite president’s wardrobe – but it comes at a steep cost.
As part of the 250th‑anniversary celebrations, Bonhams are auctioning off collectibles from the Louise Taper Collection – one of the most respected private holdings of presidential items in the country.
Ronald Reagan’s baseball cap and one of Lyndon B. Johnson’s iconic fedora hats are just some of the items set to fetch thousands at the auction, which kicked off June 14.
‘Comprising a tightly curated selection of historical Americana material, the sale brings together exceptional manuscripts, printed works, and presidential artefacts,’ a description of the auction reads.
Also amongst the collection is the earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights, estimated to fetch between $8,000 and $12,000.
Congress approved 12 amendments to the Constitution on September 25, 1789, and on October 2, George Washington sent official engrossed copies to each of the 13 states for ratification.
The full text appeared the following day on page three of The Gazette of the United States – and this is also up for sale at auction.
Other standout items include Reagan’s signed Marine One presidential baseball cap, estimated to sell for between $800 and $1,200, and 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
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.
