Bonhams Auctions Rare Presidential Artifacts from Louise Taper Collection

History enthusiasts are now offered a rare opportunity to own tangible pieces of presidential history, but the entry price for these artifacts is exceptionally high. As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, the auction house Bonhams has launched a prestigious sale featuring items from the Louise Taper Collection. Recognized as one of the nation's most respected private repositories of presidential memorabilia, this collection has been carefully curated to include exceptional manuscripts, printed works, and artifacts directly linked to the office.

The auction, which commenced on June 14, presents a tightly selected array of historical Americana. Among the most eye-catching lots are personal effects from Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan, including one of the former president's iconic fedora hats and Reagan's signed Marine One baseball cap. The latter, bearing the president's signature, carries an estimated value between $800 and $1,200.

Perhaps the most historically significant item available is the earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights. This document, which recorded the 12 amendments approved by Congress on September 25, 1789, was officially distributed by George Washington on October 2 of that year. Its full text subsequently appeared in The Gazette of the United States the following day. This specific copy is estimated to fetch between $8,000 and $12,000 at the hammer.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal effects command even higher premiums, reflecting their proximity to the presidency and the scale of his legacy. His pocket watch, featuring an 18-karat three-quarter plate movement, a gold cuvette, and a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, is estimated to sell for $20,000 to $30,000. The backplate is engraved with dates marking his early life: 'Alfred Pell 1873 / G.E.P. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1901.' Experts describe this piece as relating to Roosevelt during his formative years as a member of a prominent New York political family. The 1901 inscription anchors the item to a pivotal period in his adulthood, coinciding with his enrollment at Harvard University and his subsequent legal studies at Columbia Law School.

Also included in the sale is Roosevelt's iconic silk top hat, which he famously wore during his first inauguration. Estimated to sell for upwards of $20,000, this item offers a direct visual link to his entry into the White House. Additionally, his straw Knox boater is available; this hat was gifted by Eleanor Roosevelt to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Entrup as a token of appreciation for their years of service as caretakers, cooks, and household staff. Roosevelt was frequently photographed in such straw boaters during the early decades of his career, particularly in informal summer settings.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's Caxton fedora, described as a hallmark of classic mid-century American presidential style, rounds out the notable headwear available. The auction highlights the immense value placed on these objects, suggesting that for collectors, owning a piece of the nation's leadership comes at a steep cost. With the sale already underway, the window to acquire these privileged items is rapidly closing.

A fedora once worn by Dwight D. Eisenhower is hitting the auction block, hailed as a defining piece of mid-century presidential fashion. The hat, captured in a 1956 photograph of the former commander waving it before boarding a plane, represents a specific era of American leadership.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's dessert plate from the Franklin D. Roosevelt state dinner service is also available for purchase. Bidders can start their offers at $2,400 for this artifact. The listing suggests she kept the piece as a personal symbol connecting the Roosevelt and Kennedy families through shared history and mutual respect.

Other notable items include an Eisenhower handkerchief and the 1782 Niderviller Service china formerly owned by George Washington. Experts estimate the Washington china will sell between $50,000 and $80,000. It is described as exceptionally rare in the auction catalog.

"This is believed to be the only example of the Washingtons' Niderviller china ever to appear at auction," the text states. Other known pieces remain locked away in major institutional collections, such as Tudor Place in Washington, D.C.

This exclusive collection is expected to fetch more than $1.2 million in total. Potential buyers have a narrow window to bid, as the online auction concludes on June 23. Access to these historical treasures remains strictly limited to those with the means and interest to participate.