Gandhi items sold for $1.8m at New York auction

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-06 11:25

NEW YORK -- A set of items that once belonged to Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi were auctioned off for 1.8 million dollars in New York on Thursday.

Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi's glasses and pocket watch are seen before a controversial auction of his memorabilia in New York City. Mahatma Gandhi's meager possessions are to finally return home after a flamboyant Indian tycoon paid 1.8 million dollars Thursday to win a dramatic auction in New York. [Agencies]

The buyer was Indian liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya.

The auction went off despite the owner of the memorabilia, James Otis, saying he had decided not to sell the items in the light of the controversy it had generated.

"I never intended to create the controversy that this has created. I have decided not to sell Gandhi's items and I will request Antiquorum (the auctioneer) to call off the auction," Otishad told a press conference Thursday in New York, less than an hour before the items were due to go on the block.

The personal items auctioned were Gandhi's metal-rimmed glasses, pocket watch, a pair of sandals and a plate and bowl. The collection had a reserve price of between 20,000 dollars and 30,000 dollars.