Reagan lying in 'Masterpiece'

2004-06-10 20:06

Washington - Former United States president Ronald Reagan is lying in state in a massive solid-mahogany coffin known as the "Marsellus Masterpiece" that weighs 180kg.

The casket, which was carried into the US Capitol on Wednesday by eight military pallbearers to allow tens of thousands of Americans to file past it, is bigger and more ornate than those of assassinated president John F Kennedy and former president Richard Nixon, its makers told a newspaper.

The Post Standard paper in the New York State city of Syracuse quoted John Marsellus, the former head of the now-defunct Syracuse-based casket maker, as saying the coffin cost between $10 000 (about R66 200) and $14 000 (about R92 700).

Coffin lined with beige velvet

"This casket is our best and finest piece," Marsellus told the paper.

"It's just a magnificent example of our craftsmanship and the best mahogany casket ever made."

The coffin, which is lined with beige velvet and is draped with the US flag as America bids farewell to the former president, was made by the company in the last months before it closed in 2003.

About 5 000 people an hour were paying their respects on Thursday to Reagan, who died on Saturday at the age of 93 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Reagan's coffin was flown to Washington on Wednesday from California, where he died and where his casket was displayed for two days at his presidential library before travelling to the US capital.

- AFP