President Carter Memorabilia Offered at Auction to Benefit Global Peace and Health Work of The Carter Center

ATLANTA, GA…. A bench of hard maple wood handcrafted by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and an array of rare presidential memorabilia will be auctioned Feb. 9, 2008, to help support the work of the not-for-profit Carter Center, advancing peace and health worldwide.

The live and silent auctions are open to the public for advance bids on this Web site, with the live auction taking place Feb. 9 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., during the Center's annual Winter Weekend celebration.

Last year's signature piece, a baby cradle of unusual tiger wood crafted by President Carter, sold for $300,000. The maple bench to be auctioned this year stands 32 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 76 inches long.

"This annual auction provides critical support for the Carter Center's work," said President Carter. "Working together, we can continue to help people around the world create healthier and more peaceful lives for themselves, building hope for us all."

The Carter Center is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization founded by the former President and his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982. The Center's programs have helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production.

Special auction items, include the following:

• Signed photos of President Carter and other Presidents including a one-of-a-kind photo signed by: Rosalynn Carter, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Tipper Gore, George H. W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Betty Ford, and Gerald Ford.
• One bottle of President Carter's homemade, private-label wine.
• Two night fly fishing trip with President and Mrs. Carter at the fabulous Brigadoon Lodge.
• Rare prints of President Carter's paintings.
• Guitars signed by rock and country music stars.
• A copy of the Camp David Accords signed by President Carter and Prime Minister Begin and Dr. Jehan Sadat, widow of President Anwar Sadat. Although it does not appear on the document, a signature of Anwar Sadat is included.
• Lavish Washington, D.C., vacation featuring a private cooking course from former White House chef Roland Messnier.
• Persian rugs.
• Luxurious Vacations in Rome, Italy; Hawaii; Palm Springs; U.S. Virgin Islands; Baja California; Grand Hotel – Mackinac Island; Club Med resorts; Greenbrier; and Caesar's Palace.
• A 2.2 karat diamond cocktail ring.
• Special dinner and tour of Georgia vineyard, specially vented wines, original art work.
• A Heisman Trophy football signed by 21 Heisman trophy winners.
• Signed photo with President Carter and the Dalai Lama.
• A complete Florida Room specially designed by Carlton Varney.
• Many original works of art.

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View the live auction catalog

View the silent auction catalog