Gandhi Goods Going, Going ... Back Home to India

(NEWSER) - India has rejected a donation offer from the owner of Mahatma Gandhi’s personal effects, set for auction today in New York, the Times reports. James Otis, a peace activist who owns Gandhi’s glasses, watch, and sandals, wanted India to exhibit the items or increase spending on its poor to 5% of GDP. Even Gandhi “would not have agreed to conditions,” an official said. More»

'Insult' to India 'must be stopped,' says great-grandson

(NEWSER) - Mahatma Gandhi’s heirs have slammed a New York auction of his few belongings, calling it “immoral,” the Daily Telegraph reports. “It must be stopped," said Gandhi’s great-grandson. "It would be a grave insult to the nation if these items”—including sandals, pocket watch, and spectacles—“were sold off.” Indian MPs have called for the items’ return, and people worldwide have offered to donate a month’s salary to the fight. More»

Glasses and other items to be auctioned

(NEWSER) - Mahatma Gandhi's handful of possessions—his signature round-lens eyeglasses, simple sandals, bowl, plate, and pocket watch—are to be sold at auction in New York next month. Although he had far fewer possessions than Jackie O, the BBC reports the auction is likely to attract just as much attention as hers did. Figure about $40,000 for the items, which will be sold together. More»

Heritage Auctions ignores Mongolia's restraining order

(NEWSER) - A New York auction house sold off a dinosaur skeleton for $1 million yesterday despite a restraining order from the Mongolian government, which said the find had been illegally exported, New Scientist reports. Heritage Auctions kept mum about the seller and winning bidder, and said it had "legal assurances" that the near-complete tyrannosaurus "was obtained legally." A lawyer for Mongolia, however, said the auction house planned to hold back the sale until courts settled the dispute. More»

Shirt bears names of city, King of Swing

(NEWSER) - The Great Bambino's baseball jersey has knocked one out of the park. Babe Ruth's cotton No. 44 shirt grabbed a hefty $4.4 million at auction. The road jersey worn by the Sultan of Swat in the 1920s busted a record for sports memorabilia. The previous record-holder—the original rules for basketball—went for $4.3 million. Ruth's jersey sports "New York" in big blue letters across the chest, and "Ruth, G.H."—for Ruth, George Herman—in pink script along the back of the neckline, notes the New York Daily News . More»