Two upholstered armchairs that featured in a widely shared photograph of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden with former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter were sold at auction for $10,795, capturing public fascination with the intimate scene.

The chairs, previously part of the Carters’ home interior, drew attention after the photograph went viral in 2021, notable for its visual quirk caused by a wide-angle lens that made the Bidens appear larger than their hosts.

The sale took place at a Christie’s auction of items from the late Carters’ estate, managed in part by their daughter, Amy Carter, following the couple’s deaths in November 2023 and December 2024, respectively.

While many items were donated to the National Park Service, several pieces including the distinctive armchairs were offered to collectors.

A dedicated presidential memorabilia enthusiast, Susan Jaffe Tane of Manhattan, purchased the chairs for nearly eleven thousand dollars to display in the library of her home, which houses an extensive collection of books and objects associated with U.S. presidents.

Tane said she was drawn to the chairs by their connection to the memorable photograph, which captured a warm moment between two presidential couples and later inspired light-hearted commentary about its photographic effects.

The bidder described the acquisition as adding a personal and evocative piece of history to her collection, intended to be enjoyed in a space filled with presidential literature and artefacts.

Amy Carter said proceeds from the auction, including from this sale, will benefit the Carter Center, a non-profit founded by her parents focused on peace, human rights and public health.

Families and collectors alike view the chairs as symbolic of a unique moment of inter-presidential camaraderie that resonated with the public.