[PRESIDENTS]. [OBAMA, Barack (b. 1961), association]. Replica of the Pen Used by Senator Barack Obama That He Used When Signing His Speech Announcing Senator Joe Biden as His Running Mate. [Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, ca. 2009]. Ink ballpoint pen with gold-colored metal clip, centerband, finial, and tip, wooden barrel (no manufacturer's markings visible). Pen approximately 5 ¼" with pen tip retracted. With ink (pen still works). 

In special box with pull-off lid, and with descriptive text on inner pull-off lid. Also with card from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency with printed text describing the events of August 23, 2008, in which Senators Obama and Biden signed copies of their respective speeches, in which Obama offered the running mate position, and in which Biden accepted. From the card: “Before Senator Obama signed his copy of the speech, he remarked, ‘You're lucky I am not into stealing pens, because this is a really nice pen.' Replied a Preservation Agency staff member, ‘Senator, you cannot steal that pen; it's Illinois' newest artifact.'" Pen, box and card now housed in later Lucite display case. Rare.