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Ever wondered what it’d be like to walk in the shoes of a former New York City mayor? Now you can. Literally. In a new campaign called Gifts to the City, the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) is auctioning off art, jewelry, sports memorabilia, and other keepsakes given to former mayors as gifts. Proceeds from this regifting auction will benefit the Municipal Archives Reference and Research Fund (MARRF), a fund that supports projects to preserve and provide access to historical and contemporary records in the Municipal Archives and Library. The auction features over 50 items that vary widely, from Mayor Bloomberg’s Air Force Ones and a beaded pillowcase given to Mayor Dinkins to Mayor Guiliani’s Tiffany cufflinks and a portrait of Mayor Koch.
The items in this batch were all owned by mayors Bloomberg, Dinkins, Koch, or Giuliani. Now, why don’t the former mayors want these items anymore you may ask? Well, the mayors themselves don’t actually own the gifts. Gifts received by mayors and other City officials remain the property of the City of New York when they leave office. The items are managed by the NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). The objects that will be put up for auction have been “deemed to have no research or archival value.”
“Gifts to the City offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history,” said NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “This is the first time the City has auctioned gifts to past mayors, and New Yorkers have a chance to purchase items they won’t get anywhere else.” This isn’t the first time, however, that the City has auctioned off any historic items. In June 2022, a vintage redbird subway car was put up for auction and sold for $235,700.00.
DORIS famously auctioned off a folio of prints by John James Audubon, ”The Birds of America.” Proceeds from that huge sale in 1985 were used to establish MARRF. The Municipal Archives has also auctioned non-archival saloon licenses and canceled bonds. Each year, DCAS conducts over 4,000 surplus auctions of City property, ranging from furniture to vehicles, to office supplies, and more. Listings for all City of New York surplus auctions can be found on the DCAS website.
We combed through the list of items of gifts to former mayors currently up for auction and picked out a few of the most interesting finds:
No that’s not a fancy handbag, it’s actually a Louis Vuitton soccer ball with a strap. This luxury piece was given to Mayor Guiliani to commemorate the 1998 World Cup. As of publication, the bidding is at $1,575. Other Guiliani pieces in the auction include a Yankees wall clock, Tiffany cufflinks, and a basketball signed by the 1999 Knicks. Rudolph W. Giuliani was the 107th Mayor of New York City and served from 1994 to 2001.
These white sneakers were autographed by Ice-T and Fab 5 Freddy for Mayor Bloomberg. According to the listing, they are believed to have been presented to Mayor Bloomberg by Ice-T and Fab 5 Freddy in 2008 at a City Hall press conference. Ice-T wrote “Peace!” while Fab 5 Freddy wrote, “I luv the Mayor!!” At the time of publication, bidding stands at $380.00. Other Bloomberg items for sale include a Tiffany cake slicer from the groundbreaking of the Museum of the City of New York, a cowboy hat from the Country music Awards, and a Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis CD. Bloomberg was New York City’s 108th mayor, serving three terms from 2002 to 2013.
This glass paperweight in the shape of an apple was given to Mayor Dinkins by legendary singer Diana Ross. It was a small souvenir from a party at the Friar’s Club, a private club for entertainers that stands at 57 East 55th between Park and Madison avenues. The Friar’s Club is known for being the birthplace of the celebrity comedy roast and its iconic members like Johnny Carson, Jerry Lewis, and Frank Sinatra. The paperweight is emblazoned with the Friar’s Club logo and as of publication, bidding stands at $152.50. Other items gifted to Dinkins that are up for grabs include a beaded embroidered elephant pillowcase, a piece of Chinese art, and a Lou Rawls poster. Dinkins was New York City’s 106th Mayor and the City’s first Black mayor. He served from 1990 to 1993. Sites in New York City that bear his name included the Municipal Building and a public circle in Flushing, Queens.
A color portrait of the Statue of Liberty by artist Peter Max is on the auction block. The original painting features a hand-written inscription from the artist to Mayor Koch on the back. Max is well known for his brightly colored, psychedelic and pop art. The current bid on this painting is currently at $$11,300.00 at the time of publication. Other interesting items gifted to Koch that are on sale include a pencil portrait of Mayor Koch by artist Miriam Troop, and a photo of the former mayor on SNL. Koch was the 105th Mayor of New York City, serving three terms in office from 1978 to 1989. The Queensboro Bridge was renamed in his honor in 2011.
This month’s auction of gifts to former mayors is the first batch in a series that will be announced on a rolling basis. The first 50 items are currently taking bids and will be up for one to three weeks. NYC Department of Records and Information Services Commissioner Pauline Toole says, “Purchasers will receive a special certificate of provenance certifying that the item sold at auction is an authentic gift originally received by a Mayor of the City of New York and that the purchase will support the work of the Municipal Archives and Municipal Library.” Will you be making a bid?
Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of Gracie Mansion, Home of NYC’s Mayor
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