A collection of political memorabilia, fine art and antiques from the estate of Lloyd and Beryl Ann 'B.A.' Bentsen will be offered at New Orleans Auction Galleries during its 26-27 September Estates Auction. The auction will also include a wide variety of illustrious fine art, jewellery, silverware, fashion and more.
The papers of the Honourable Lloyd Bentsen, Jr., United States congressman (D-TX, 1947-1955), senator (D-TX, 1971-1993), vice-presidential nominee (1988) and secretary of the treasury (1993-1994), are conserved at the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. However, the Bentsen family retained some of his personal letters and photographs, many of which are offered in this sale. Included are signed photographs of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton. Bentsen’s prized photo, however, was of his political mentor, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn.
“Lloyd and B.A. lived a fascinating life together,” says Susan D. Sarofim, CEO and owner of New Orleans Auction Galleries. “This collection not only offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of the late Senator and his wife, but also demonstrates the couple’s shared passion for improving the world around them. The sale is a wonderful opportunity to own a piece of political history.”
The auction also features papers and photographs from B.A. Bentsen, including a telegram from Robert Kennedy giving her advance notice that he plans to run against Johnson in 1968 and a letter from Vice President and Democratic Nominee Hubert Humphrey thanking her for her support in the election.
While already nationally recognised as a Senator, Bentsen became a household name in 1988 when Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee for President, selected him as his running mate. That campaign provided the single moment for which he is best remembered, his blistering retort to Dan Quayle during the Vice Presidential debate: “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.” The two-day auction will offer the evidence of that famous riposte: Bentsen’s personal autographed copy of Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage.
The family will be donating their proceeds from the sale of the political memorabilia to charity. Other highlights of the Estates auction include a painting by John William Godward, an Hermès Birkin bag in crocodile, a Raoul Dufy watercolour, and David Webb earrings.
