Potomack Auctions in Alexandria is at it again — auctioning Wednesday, Sept. 28 fascinating collectibles of political Americana. This time, the items of interest come from two Alexandrians.
Bids are currently being accepted online and will close Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET, but doublecheck the website for details.
Image courtesy of Potomack Auctions
Caroline Kennedy by Robert Engle
Find out how to bid on items here.
Mary B. Gallagher was the personal secretary to First Lady Jackie Kennedy and also worked at various times for President John Kennedy. A Belle Haven resident with a family that included sons Christopher and Gregory and her husband Ray who predeceased her, she died April 22 at age 95. Mary was a member of the motorcade in Dallas when Kennedy was assassinated that fateful day Nov. 22, 1963. She witnessed Lyndon Baines Johnson's swearing-in as president on Air Force One.
Anyone interested in bidding on items from either Gallagher or Warner can visit the Potomack Auctions website and register to bid online.
Some of the intriguing items from her years working with the Kennedys include a portrait of the Kennedys' daughter, Caroline, created by artist Robert Engle for Newsweek magazine.
Image courtesy of Potomack Auctions
A replica of a rocking chair used by President John F. Kennedy; created by White House upholsterer
Another item that is proving popular in the auction (garnering at least five bids) is a replica of President Kennedy's rocking chair by White House staff upholsterer Larry Arata.
Labeled "Exact Copy of Authentic Custom Upholstered President John F. Kennedy's Rocker Crafted for Him By Lawrence J. Arata, White House Staff, and Duplicated for Gregory M. Gallagher, Christmas 1980", the bolstered rectangular woven grass and padded back, padded arms and seat on turned legs with rockers, upholstered in cream leather.
The chair was a gift to the consignor from his parents Ray and Mary Gallagher, personal secretary to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The chair is in pristine condition since it was covered and unused for more than 40 years.
Sen. John Warner, John William Warner III, was lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974 and as a five-term Republican U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1979 to 2009. He died last year at his home in Alexandria at age 94. He was survived by his widow Jeanne Vander Myde and three children, Virginia, Mary and John from his first marriage to Catherine Mellon. His second wife was screen legend Elizabeth Taylor.
Image courtesy of Potomack Auctions
Wooden fire truck model from Sen. and Mrs. John Warner collection
Among the interesting items up for auction from his collections are a set of trains which he collected since his childhood and a wooden firetruck, pictured above. Several briefcases are also on the block as well as a nice collection of walking sticks and canes, including one from Paul Mellon.
