December 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, December 14th, 5pm Pacific

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2017
Important artifact from the biggest political scandal in American history, the lock from the door in stairwell #2 leading to the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate Complex that was jimmied open in the early morning on 17 June 1972. Five would be burglars were arrested when a Watergate security guard alerted police of a possible break-in after growing suspicious of tape on stairwell latches, and then this jimmied lock leading directly into the DNC offices. The discovery of this tampered lock and the subsequent arrest of the five burglars set off a chain of events that would eventually lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Lock is accompanied by two notarized letters of provenance: (1) Notarized letter from James Rednowers, the locksmith who replaced the lock on 18 June 1972, one day after the break-in, as requested by the Watergate Improvement Associates. In the letter, the lock is identified as coming from the infamous ''Stairway #2 to Suite 600, 2600 Virginia Avenue, Washington, D.C.''; (2) Notarized letter signed by James Herrald, Superintendent of the Watergate Improvement Associates -- whose Watergate business card is included with the letter -- stating that the lock was given to him by locksmith James Rednowers. Russwinn lock set includes inner and outer knobs, original key and latch, all mounted to a wood display measuring 11.75" high x 9.5" wide x 7" deep. Lock set measures 3.25" high x 5" wide by 7.25" deep. An incredibly visceral piece, giving a glimpse into the events of 17 June 1972, which would ignite a political maelstrom leading to obstruction of justice charges against a sitting U.S. President, and his subsequent resignation.
Watergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President Nixon
Watergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President NixonWatergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President Nixon
Watergate Lock From Stairwell #2 -- The Infamous Jimmied Stairwell Lock Leading to the Watergate DNC Offices, at the Center of a Foiled Burglary that Led to the Resignation of President Nixon
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Bidding
Current Bidding
Minimum Bid: $50,000
Final prices include buyers premium.: $62,500
Number Bids: 2
Auction closed on Thursday, December 14, 2017.
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