This week the Carter Center made news announcing that the decades-long fight against an ancient parasite may be nearing an end, with record-low worldwide cases of Guinea worm.

After he entered home hospice care in 2023, aides said former President Jimmy Carter continued asking for updates on Guinea worm.

The Carters have also been in the news for a pair of auctions. Last month Christie’s in New York City sold estate paintings, political artifacts, and personal memorabilia. And coming up on February 25, Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina will hold a live event featuring additional items from the Carter estate.

President Carter died in December 2024 at 100 and Rosalynn Carter passed away in November 2023.

Signed Photograph, Living Presidents, Jimmy Carter Provenance

Credit: Brunk Auctions

Painting by Jimmy Carter

Credit: Brunk Auctions

Jimmy Carter Personalized Woodmere Fly Fishing Partial Tea Service and Dinner Service

Credit: Brunk Auctions

Jimmy Carter Personalized Oyster Bamboo Fly Fishing Rod in Leather Presentation Case

Credit: Brunk Auctions

Unique Presidential Inaugural Proof 24kt Gold Medal, Jimmy Carter Provenance

Credit: Brunk Auctions

Jimmy Carter Personalized Carved Wood Peanut Form Fishing Lure

Credit: Brunk Auction

The Hour Before Daylight ‘Miss Lillian’ Black Painted Desk Built by President Jimmy Carter

Credit: Brunk Auctions

“It is a pleasure to share this glimpse into my parents' world. I hope these objects paint a fuller picture of them—their lives, their service, their devotion to each other, and the joy and curiosity that kept them learning and engaged throughout their lives,” said the couple’s daughter, Amy Carter, in a statement.

Nan Zander of Brunk Auctions spent 35 years in the New York art world, beginning her career at Sotheby’s. She is now leading the Carter estate auction in the weeks ahead.

Jeff: “What items are a part of the Carter Auction? Are they personal or more part of their public lives?" 

Nan: We are proud to be offering over 200  lots that I would consider both personal and presidential, mementos if you will, ranging from Carter Family China to Rosalynn's jewelry to presidential paperweights to their fishing and hunting gear. There is furniture made by the president's own hands and paintings that he painted, autographed books from his personal library, menus from White House events.

Jeff: “Any surprising items? Unusual? Unexpected?”  

Nan: I have to say it was all surprising.  Most people don't have the opportunity to see, let alone purchase, the type of items in daily use by world leaders.  We all had so much fun sorting things like peanut-themed jewelry but then were awed by medals and awards. We have a painting President Carter did of his boyhood home in Georgia.  We have a gold, Franklin Mint, Presidential Inaugural Medal, which is surprising and wonderful, and we have a large group of Woodmere Fly Fishing China, made expressly for Jimmy Carter's Walnut Mountain Cabin in Ellijay, Ga. The range is vast and there are pieces of history of everybody.

Jeff: “Explain the sale format? How it works if someone reading this would like to take part?”  

Nan: We are an auction house in Asheville, N.C. This is a live auction held in real time. People can view the auction online but can also come in person to preview what we are selling. Then they can leave absentee bids for us to execute, or bid in the room during the auction, which is of course the most fun, or they can bid on the internet on our website or other internet platforms. All our terms of sale are on our website, and we are happy to help anyone new to the auction world — please just pick up the phone and call!

Jeff: “How is the Carter family involved in this process?”  

Nan: Our consignment is from the Estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. We speak on an almost daily basis with members of the family, who share information and histories on individual items, as well as wonderful stories about the family. It has been an honor as well as a lot of fun getting some personal insight into who the Carters were. And they were amazing, but also very real people who enjoyed their life.

Jeff: “How did Brunk get the job? Who are some other well-known Americans you have represented?”

Nan: We were recommended to the family in this case. We are one of the most important "regional" auction houses in the country with an international reach, but we are also near the Carter home in Georgia.  We are very well-known for Americana, and for selling single-owner collections.  I think our proximity helped in this case, as it has in many cases where we sell the contents of historic homes all over the south. That said, we have an international audience, and some recent auctions range from a Collection of Dee and Tommy Hilfiger to the sale of an important ratification copy of the United States Constitution which was found in a historic home in North Carolina and sold for $11,070,000. We also regularly sell for well-known institutions such as Colonial Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, among many others.

Jeff: Anything else I’m missing? What would you like me to add?  

Nan: This year we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. The semiquincentennial is a great time for both serious collectors and novices to own a memento from the life of the leader of the free world and his wife. It is also a wonderful way for that leader and his family to share a bit of their lives with others. We are so honored to be a part of this process. 

For more information: brunkauctions.com