Tomorrow, Antiquorum Auctioneers will put some of Mahatma Gandhi's few personal possessions on the auction block, including his eyeglasses, pocket watch, and sandals. Naturally, India wants the items for public display and if eleventh-hour negotiations with the collector don't end well, the country might bid on the objects. From the AFP:
"We have asked our embassy in Washington and Consulate General of India in New York to do everything that is required through the bidding process or otherwise," junior foreign minister Anand Sharma said.Antiquorum has insisted the sale will go ahead and put an estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 dollars on the items, which will sell as a single lot.
The final price is expected to be considerably higher, partly thanks to the publicity generated by the row in India over the sale.
"Indian diplomats work to secure Gandhi auction items"
