Mallya saves Bapu’s legacy, buys belongings for Rs 9 cr.
Interesting Tag to consider - “miracle” liquor baron Vijay Mallya
Mahatma Gandhi’s memorabilia went under the hammer at the Antiquorum Auctioneers early on Friday morning (India time) in New York after hours of high drama.
Lot 364, featuring effects of Mahatma Gandhi, had a reserve price between $20,000 and $30,000.
After frenzied bidding, the lot drew a bid of $ 1.8 million, for a total cost of $2.1 million including the buyer’s premium.
Tushar Gandhi’s sigh of relief
Tushar Gandhi was really worried before the bidding but now he says getting Bapu’s items back is miracle.
Mallya has a reputation
The last time a piece of Indian heritage went under the hammer, Mallya paid up Rs 4 crore (Rs 4 million) for the Sword of Tipu Sultan and got it back to India.
The controversy over Tipu Sultan’s legendary sword involving industrialist Vijay Mallya brings into sharp focus the issue of import and export of antiques. Check more details here on “Rules on import/export of antiques & about the show-cause notice to Mallya by the Customs department”.
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/31antique.htm
Controversies & Drama Behind
The auction went off despite the consignor of the lot, James Otis, saying he had decided not to sell the items in the light of the controversy.
Just a day after making specific demands of the government of India in return for withdrawing the items, Otis said he wanted the auction house to take the lot off the block.
“Amidst the controversy, I decided not to sell the items. I have personally requested the Antiquorum to remove it from auction list,” Otis said.
But the auction went ahead anyway.
But in the end, it appears that the Indian Government had good reason to be satisfied with the final result of the day.
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