A London auction tried to sell two microscope slides of former Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi's blood was disappointed to find no takers for the items. Prior to the auction, the New York Post reported an estimated value of between $15,000-$22,000 for the slides.
Altogether the auction featured 36 items many of which did find new homes, including the will he left his son, a shawl made by him, a four-page legal document, prayer beads, sandals, a drinking vessel and an eating bowl. In all, reports the Times of India, the pieces brought nearly $400,000.
"The objects are well over 70 years old. Most of these were held by families without modern conservation technology. They have also been subject to difficult climate conditions and bad handling," auctioneer Richard Westwood-Brookes told the Times, adding that the items will now receive better care.
The market for Ghandi memorabilia is growing, reports the Post, as last year soil samples with bloody grass said to be from the spot he was assassinated fetched over $15,000 at auction.
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