Winter Weekend Auction Features Sports, Space, and Presidential Memorabilia

Contact: Paige Rohe, 404-420-5129, prohe@emory.edu

ATLANTA, GA…Historic memorabilia from the White House, presidential elections, the space race, and American sports are among the more than 100 items up for public auction in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on Feb. 7, 2009 during the Carter Center's annual Winter Weekend celebration. The auction, which has both live and silent components, will help support the work of the not-for-profit Carter Center, advancing peace and health worldwide. Last year, the highest bid item at the annual fundraiser was a bench of hard maple wood hand-crafted by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, which sold for $300,000.

More information will be posted soon, including auction catalogues and information on how to bid.

Special auction items include:

• Original artwork and rare prints by President Carter;
• The only baseball in the world hand-signed by five U.S. presidents (Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush);
• A certificate commemorating the 40th anniversary (July 21, 2009) of the first "man on the moon," signed by Buzz Aldrin, Neal Collins, and Neal Armstrong;
• A Heisman Trophy football signed by 22 Heisman Trophy winners including Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner;
• Fly fishing trip with President and Mrs. Carter at the fabulous Brigadoon Lodge;
• A 2.1 karat diamond necklace, diamond earrings, and silver service;
• A bottle of President Carter's homemade, private-label wine;
• Guitars signed by rock stars, and a rare, handmade classical guitar by the Rodriguez family;
• Persian rugs, tapestries, and collectables;
• Luxurious vacations in Florence, Italy; Palm Springs; Napa Valley, U.S. Virgin Islands; North Georgia, Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island; and Club Med resorts;
• Signed photos of President Carter and other presidents as well as of President Carter and the Dalai Lama;
• Handmade furniture and a handmade, custom-built canoe; and
• A Whirlpool complete outdoor kitchen (valued at $20,000).

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The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 65 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production. Visitwww.cartercenter.org to learn more about The Carter Center.