John Warner’s Senate memorabilia to be auctioned

WASHINGTON -- J. Warner's souvenirs up for sale next week 49 sets of his Senate memorabilia will be auctioned in N.Va.

This isn't your typical garage sale.

There's the antique roll-top desk John W. Warner used for 30 years in the U.S. Senate. And the signed photos from former President Ronald Reagan.

The Warner memorabilia is going on the auction block -- everything from U.S. flags and Navy cufflinks to oil paintings and a model train.

The reason? Warner says he just doesn't have room for it at home.

"It's hard for me to part with these things," Warner said in an interview. "My wife gave me a quota. I met the quota of 15."

The items paint a picture of Warner's career -- the leather chair from which he hosted countless meetings and interviews, and a flag flown above the Capitol to honor his perfect Senate attendance record in 1985.

Warner did not seek re-election in 2008 and left office in January.

The 49 sets of Warner souvenirs up for bid -- some just one item, others including 10 things or more -- are valued at a minimum of $8,000.

The Potomack Co., an Alexandria-based auction house, is conducting the auction next Saturday. Proceeds will go to the University of Virginia, where Warner attended law school. U.Va. also is the permanent home of Warner's Senate records.

"It's unusual to have a collection that is so specific and it's so clear who it belongs to," said Susanna Brockman, the auction house's director of gallery relations.

Many of the items are glass awards or wooden plaques recognizing the Republican lawmaker's work on issues ranging from transportation to wildlife preservation.

"I'm grateful to all the people who have given me things through the years. They've served their purpose," Warner said.

One of his favorite items up for bid is a pair of pictures of Warner with Reagan, with captions and autographs from the Gipper. The pictures are from the Oval Office after Reagan won a close Senate vote to approve selling to Saudi Arabia radar technology known as AWACS, short for airborne warning and control system.

"He called me at 9 or 10 and [said], 'We're going to have a drink and celebrate,'" Warner recalled.

In both pictures the two men appear jovial, with Reagan pointing at Warner. The president wrote a caption on the photo: "He actually believed (and predicted) we would get 52 votes on AWAC's. Thanks John and Warm Regards, Ron."

All the items are on display for the week leading up to the auction.

"These are just a few odds and ends," Warner said, "but I don't want to destroy them. If somebody wants to spend five dollars on it, it's theirs."
Contact Neil H. Simon at