Obamas’ garments on celebrity auction

LOS ANGELES: A cocktail dress worn by Michelle Obama during her time at the White House and a basketball jersey worn by Barack Obama at high school are among rare items from the former US president and his wife to join the celebrity auction circuit.

The dress, a black vintage Norman Norell 1950s gown worn by Michelle Obama during a 2010 holiday fund- raiser in Washington, is expected to fetch $ 50 000 to $ 70 000 when it goes up for sale in December at Julien’s Auctions, the company in Beverly Hills, said yesterday.

Barack Obama’s game- worn basketball jersey from his days on the Punahou School team in Hawaii comes with the 1979 school yearbook, which includes photos of him playing. The jersey and yearbook have a pre- sale estimate of up to $ 200 000 ( R3.35m).