April 04, 2005

Strange Amherstiana on eBay

1857_jacket.jpg

This week sees a couple of strange items in the unending flow of Amherstiana available on eBay. First, we have a letter of acceptance for the class of 2009, boasted to be the first of many such letters to be auctioned off by a high school senior who seems to think it’s funny. Perhaps it is; we’ll see if anyone agrees and bids more than the one cent at which the auction currently stands. I hope the student enjoys him/herself at MIT.

Second, and much more interesting, is a 150 year-old suit said to be worn by John De Witt Weaver of the class of 1857 at his Commencement. This two-piece suit is described as a mix of hand-stitched and machine-stitched, with a variety of different fabrics “including homespun.” The suitcoat has ten buttons and a watch pocket, and the pants feature a brass buckle and red trim. The bidding, which began at $199, is currently up to $255.

Brian Meacham '97 | April 4, 2005 09:51 PM | Amherstiana | History