The personal collection of Gerald and Betty Ford is to be offered at Heritage Auctions' Political, Western Legends and Americana Signature Auction on December 12, with the former president's golf clubs set to lead.
 Ford continued in the footsteps of William Taft |
The clubs, which come complete with a presidential golf bag emblazoned with Ford's name, will be offered at $3,000-4,000. Proceeds from the sale will benefit a new student learning centre that is being developed by the Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundation.
A Tsunami set made by Golf Gear, the clubs were presented to President Ford by the owner of the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. Ford was an avid golfer, a presidential tradition first set by President William Taft (1857-1930).
Heritage Auctions will also offer Ford's golf shoes, cap and gloves as a separate lot. Valued at $400-600, the cap is embroidered with an "M", representing the University of Michigan.
Strong bids are also expected for Ford's presidential seal rug, which was used in his home office in Rancho Mirage, California. Hand-hooked by his brother's wife, Ellen Ford, during his presidency, it was presented to the president on February 1, 1975 at the White House. It is expected to sell for $800-1,200.
For autograph collectors, the major attraction will be a photograph that has been signed by five presidents: George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and of course, Gerald Ford. The image is one of four that were taken at the dedication of the Reagan Library in 1991 and will sell for $7,000-10,000.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a spectacular range of presidential memorabilia for sale, including a rare George Washington autograph, and authentic strands of presidential hair.
