Barack Obama's Jersey And Michelle Obama's Gown To Be Offered At Auction This December
A basketball jersey worn by Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, along with an iconic vintage gown worn by former First Lady, Michelle Obama will be part of Julien's Auctions' Icons & Idols Trilogy on December 3–4, 2020 live in Beverly Hills and online.
Barack Obama wore the jersey during his senior year at Punahou School, as part of the 1979 Hawaii State Champion boys' varsity team. It embodies the former president's leadership and competitiveness as a basketball player all the way to his becoming a president.
Prior to his newly launched book, The Promised Land, Obama released an earlier memoir, Dreams From My Father––here he writes about his time on the basketball court where he was able to explore both his racial identity and his love for the sport.
The jersey, a Rawlings size 40 white mesh pullover features Punahou and the number 23 on the front and reverse side with yellow and blue stripes, the school's colours. The game-worn jersey as well as a historical part of the former president's life is estimated to cost US$150,000–$200,000. It comes with a 1979 Punahou school yearbook that includes photos of Obama. The jersey headlines the Icons & Idols Trilogy: Sports auction.
Meanwhile, a black vintage Norman Norell cocktail dress worn by Michelle Obama during a Christmas reception in Washington will also be up for auction.
The dress made headlines and became a media sensation, reported by various media publications as well as late-night TV shows as the first time a First Lady ever wore a vintage couture dress in public.
The circa 1950s dress has a fitted bodice, black stain straps and a silk organza tea-length skirt over an attached silk crinoline petticoat complete with multiple layers of tulle. It's estimated to sell at US$50,000–$70,000 as the highlight of the Icons & Idols Trilogy: Hollywood auction.
See also: Sylvester Stallone’s Famed Panerai Watch Is Hitting The Auction Block This December
"From Barack Obama’s high school basketball jersey, that bode his destiny as the future U.S. Commander in Chief, to the vintage dress that sealed Michelle Obama’s status as a fashion forward style icon, these highly collectible items exude the grace and glamour that the Obamas came to be admired for during their years in the White House and exemplify why they are American royalty," said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s auctions.
For interested bidders, registration is required to bid in the live auction and can be done online before the sale at their registration page. You can also bid by calling (310) 836-1818, via a proxy or through absentee bid. For more information, please visit the official website.
See also: Introducing Asia's Most Stylish 2020: This Year's Best-Dressed List