The lock burglars picked to break into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate Complex in 1972, sold tonight for $62,500 at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. The cover-up by the Nixon administration would be known as “Watergate” and led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
Five burglars tampered the four-pound brass lock from stairwell #2 at the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 1972 to vandalise the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters. The following morning, security guard Frank Willis alerted the Washington, D.C. police regarding a possible break-in, which led to a two-year probe known as ‘Watergate’. The investigation received worldwide attention resulting in the resignation of the United States Attorney General John Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, the President’s Chief of Staff and President Nixon. Nixon remains the only President to resign from the position.
Watergate Improvement Association requested a new lock installation
The Watergate Improvement Association requested a new lock, which was installed on June 18, 1972. Locksmith James Rednowers installed the new lock and kept the original, tampered lock for a few years, until Watergate superintendent Jim Herrald requested it as a memento.
Commenting on the lock, auction house owner, Nate D. Sanders stated, “Americans’ fascination with Watergate has continued for nearly five decades.” Historians and collectors will be intrigued by this lock, which symbolises the downfall of the Nixon administration. “The lock comes with two notarised letters of provenance from Rednowers and Herrald”.