Description:

Franklin Roosevelt
n.p., n.d.
Gifted by FDR to Alben W. Barkley, Used As His Personal Senate Gavel & Block With Outstanding Provenance
Other

A gavel and block personally used in the U.S. Senate Chamber by Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956), the longtime Democratic Senator from Kentucky, when he was Senate Majority Leader (1937-1949) and Vice President during Truman's second term (1949-1953). According to family oral history, this two-piece set was gifted to him by 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during Barkley's time in the Senate. N.d., n.p. The gavel and block is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity dated July 31, 1984 relating to the Alben W. Barkley Estate auction; as well as a statement of provenance signed by Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, a noted collector of Presidential, Military, Space, and Sports memorabilia.

This item was sold at Heritage Auctions back in July 2004 for almost $1,600.

The lot includes:

1. A gavel with turned hardwood handle and barrel-form head, one side of which is imprinted "F.D.R." and the other side which is imprinted "U.S. GRANT / No. 255 / 1861." With two tricolored ribbons tied around the handle. Isolated surface wear consistent with banging! Else near fine. 9.375" x 3.5" x 2.125."

2. An oblong hardwood block assembled from multiple pieces of wood and penny nails. Expected wear including checking, isolated wood in-filling, and shallow scattered surface loss, else very good. 7" x 4.75" x 3.125."

Provenance

1. The gavel and block set comes along with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by two of Barkley's grandchildren, Alben W. Barkley II (1944-2023) and Dorothy Barkley Holloway; and it is also signed by the auctioneer and a local notary. July 31, 1984. N.p. The document attests to the fact that these items came from Alben W. Barkley's home, The Angles (Paducah, Kentucky), and that they were offered at auction by C.W. Shelton Real Estate and Auction Company, Galt House (Louisville, Kentucky), on June 18-21, 1984. Isolated wrinkles, edge chips, and light pencil inscriptions, 8.125" x 10.75."

2. A statement entitled "Historical Note Reference FDR's Gavel and Block" is provided by prolific Kansas historical collector Raleigh DeGeer Amyx (1938-2019). The statement on "Raleigh DeGeer Amyx" letterhead is signed and initialed by him. N.d., n.p. Reading in part: "According to a conversation I had in Kentucky, with the grandson of V.P. Alben Barkley, Alben Barkley II, this gavel and block were given to his grandfather, while Senator Barkley was still the Senate Majority Leader, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt… The grandson told me that his grandfather had used the gavel to call the Senate to order while he was the Majority Leader, as well as when he was the Vice President…" Isolated wrinkles, edge closed tears, and light pencil inscriptions, 7.25" x 10.5."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: gavel: 9.375" x 3.5" x 2.125"; block: 7" x 4.75" x 3.125"
  • Medium: Other

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May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000