January 2022 Auction Ends Thursday, January 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/10/2022
Large collection of eyeglasses belonging to U.S. Presidents and world leaders, including a pair belonging to Ronald Reagan, along with Reagan's autograph letter signed, and accompanying signed envelope. Composed on his Yearling Row ranch stationery, where Reagan lived from 1951-1966, the 40th President writes to Dr. Bagley in full, ''Since I'm now a wearer of Corneal Lens' this is the best I can do. / These broken parts are all that remain except for one spare pair I keep on hand in addition to my 'Corneals'. / Best Regards / Ronald Reagan''. Letter is undated but accompanied by original envelope handwritten by Reagan, signed ''R. Reagan / Pacific Palisades Calif.'' with a postmark from either 1962 or 1963. Letter is addressed to Dr. Melvin J. Bagley, who assembled this large collection for ''The Famous People's Eyeglasses Museum'', which he founded.
Another pair of eyeglasses comes from Robert Kennedy, whose accompanying typed letter signed is on Attorney General stationery, dated 26 July 1963. Kennedy writes, ''My belated thanks for your letter requesting a pair of eyeglasses I have used for the collection. At long last, we have located a pair which are no longer useful. These are being mailed to you under separate cover...[signed] Robert F. Kennedy''.
Other eyeglasses, nearly all with accompanying letters, come from Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (two pairs), Israeli President Ephraim Katzir, Colombian President Belisario Betancur, Austrian President Kurt Waldheim, Italian Prime Ministers Giulio Andreotti and Bettino Craxi, the Presidents of Ireland and Chile, Vice President Spiro Agnew, and Presidential candidates Thomas Dewey, Barry Goldwater, and Alf Landon. Other glasses come from politicians Elizabeth Holtzman and Estes Kefauver, Speaker of the House Carl Albert, New York City Mayor Abraham Beame and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, the General Secretary of the Communist Party Gus Hall, and several others.
The lot also includes letters from individuals declining sending a pair of eyeglasses, including a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt who writes, ''I wish I could send you a pair of eye glasses for your collection. Unfortunately, however, I do not have any except the ones I am now using for reading...[signed] Eleanor Roosevelt''. Each pair of glasses is labeled in its own case, compiled by Dr. Bagley beginning in the 1960s through the 1980s, most in very good condition. Lot also includes a copy of his book, ''Celebrity Sighting''. A very unique and personal collection of memorabilia worn by the most influential leaders of the world.
Additional photos can be found here.
Collection of 25 Eyeglasses Belonging to U.S. Presidents & World Leaders -- Including RFK & Ronald Reagan's Personal Pairs, Along with an Autograph Letter Signed by Reagan from the Early 1960s
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