1903 Barnum & Bailey wagon sells for $250,000

A 1903 Barnum & Bailey Circus parade wagon has sold for $250,000 at Heritage Auctions.

It headlined the Americana and Political Grand Format auction in Dallas on May 14.

Barnum Bailey Wagon
The wagon was pulled by a team of 40 horses

The enormous lot, known as the Two Hemispheres, is over 28 feet long and weighs 13,600 pounds. A team of 40 horses was needed to pull it.

It's widely considered the most spectacular circus wagon of all time.

The auction house comments: "Very few of these behemoths have survived.

"Their very size and issues of maintenance led most to be abandoned or dismantled years ago, with only a few of the more dramatic carved adornments preserved."

This specimen was built by New York's Sebastian Wagon Company and no expense was spared in its construction.

It features carvings from the renowned maker Samuel Robb, best known for his exceptional cigar store Indians.

His work is in high demand today, with a Santa Claus carving made for his daughter in 1923 selling for $875,000 at Sotheby's in 2014.

A silver cigarette box used in the Oval Office during John F Kennedy's presidency made $52,500.

It was removed after his assassination and gifted to his former special assistant, Martin Underwood.

The piece was made by Tiffany and features the presidential seal on the top. The interior is lined with cedar.

We have an original poster from Kennedy's 1960 campaign for sale.

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