Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison fails to get George Washington’s suit despite offering $1.5 million (marketrealist.com)
“Pawn Stars” Rick Harrison Makes a Bid for George Washington’s Suit, But No Deal
Rick Harrison, the ever-profit-minded star of “Pawn Stars,” recently journeyed to Washington, D.C. in hopes of acquiring a piece of American history: a suit purportedly worn by George Washington. Meeting with collector Brian, Harrison examined the silk suit, originally pink but faded with time, which Brian valued at a cool $3 million.
The suit’s history, as recounted by Brian, involved generations of ownership within Washington’s family before being sold at a New York auction. Brian, who called the suit a highlight of his Americana collection, had kept it preserved and displayed for over two decades.
Harrison, clearly impressed, brought in his expert, Mark Hall-Patton, to authenticate the garment. Hall-Patton confirmed the suit’s likely provenance and age, noting that the bright pink color would have been a fashionable statement in the 1750s or ’60s.
After some deliberation, Harrison offered $1.5 million for the historic suit. While admitting it was the largest sum he’d ever considered for a single item, the offer fell short. Brian countered with a $2.5 million price tag, but Harrison ultimately declined, leaving the suit with its owner.
Though disappointed, Harrison quipped, “I didn’t get the suit, but you know what, it didn’t fit me anyway.”