Ronald Reagan's name is invoked, mantra like, during every presidential election. Nancy, his fiery waif of a spouse, tends to get less airtime, but this fall that might change: On Sept. 21 and 22, and in an online auction that concludes on Sept. 28, more than 700 objects from the former first lady's estate are up for auction at Christie's New York, carrying an estimate in excess of $2 million.
A few pieces of Reagan's jewelry have already been shown in London, but on Aug. 18, all her jewels from the live sale (along with a few from the online sale) will be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the classic car event for which Christie's International Real Estate is a major sponsor. There are 83 jewelry lots in total, carrying a total high estimate of more than $280,000.
The pieces, which range from from relatively subdued earrings to brooches whose full-throttle 1980s style might not translate to today, all carry estimates that barely crack $50,000. If those prices seem low, that's because the estimates are based on the jewels' market value; provenance is largely left off the table, even though provenance is what will attract many bidders to the sale in the first place.
"It's the wonderful thing about this collection," said Gemma Sudlow, the Christie's specialist in charge of the sale. "We get to work closely with the Presidential Foundation to go through their archives and imagery and find images of the first lady wearing some of these jewels on iconic occasions."
And those iconic occasions are what might push bidding well past the auction house's stated estimates: There are a lot of golden necklaces out there, but only one that brushed up against Margaret Thatcher on a 1988 state visit.
Check out some highlights of Reagan's jewels below; proceeds of the sale will go to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute.
1. A Diamond and Gold Pendant-Brooch Necklace, $30,000 to $50,000
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, the pendant-brooch is detachable. Reagan is documented wearing the set during a 1988 state visit to the U.K.
2. Gold and Diamond Ear Clips, $15,000 to $20,000
These earrings, part of the same set designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, were worn frequently by Reagan and were also documented in the same 1988 state visit.