Nixon, Watergate Era Posters Highlight Dearborn Auction

DEARBORN, MI — Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, memorabilia from the 1970s has resurfaced in the city of Dearborn. But you won’t find props from “Jaws” or any other movie. But if politics is your bag, then posters of former presidents Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford might catch your eye.

The items are available through the city’s surplus property auction program. Dearborn is currently selling 31 items via eBay, from toothbrushes, and iPhone, diapers and even a lawn mower are all available for less than $100 each.

The auction program is run by the city’s purchasing department. Proceeds from the sales go back to various departments or Dearborn’s general fund. In the case of the posters, funds would go to the Dearborn Historical Museum.

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Dearborn Spokeswoman told the Detroit Free Press the Watergate era posters were duplicates of ones in the museum’s collection. She said it’s part of an on-going effort to keep the collection trim and manageable.

As of early Tuesday evening, a “Watergate Story” poster had three bids on it and the price stood at $27.02. Bidding on the poster ends at 9 a.m. Thursday. The poster depicts Richard Nixon transforming frame-by-frame into a monster.

A 1968 presidential election poster that urges “LBJ Do It Again In 68,” has six bids and sits at $28.50. Bidding on the item ends Thursday at 8 a.m. To bid on the city of Dearborn’s surplus items, click here.

Photos courtesy of the city of Dearborn