Glasses Belonging To Mahatma Gandhi Auctioned At Rs 15 Lakh, Sold For Rs 2.5 Crore!
A pair of Mahatma Gandhi's glasses were found hanging in an auctioneer's letterbox. They were predicted to fetch Rs 15 lakh but were sold for Rs 2.5 crore instead!
A pair of glasses believed to belong to Mahatma Gandhi were found in an envelope by Staff at East Bristol Auctions a few days ago. They were found casually hanging from auctioneer Andy Stowe's letterbox and were set to be auctioned for more than $19,000 (Rs 14 lakh, approximately) in Britain.
However, the glasses sold for over 18 times the bidding amount; for $340,330 or Rs 2.5 crore!
EAST BRISTOL AUCTIONS LTD
The spectacles were reportedly bought through a phone bid by an American collector after six minutes of bidding.
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe in whose letterbox the glasses were found said it was a new record for East Bristol Auctions and reportedly called it "the star lot of the century."
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Mr Stowe informed that the owner of the glasses was an elderly man from Mangotsfield who plans to split the money with his daughter.
"It's a phenomenal result. These glasses represent not only an auction record for us, but a find of international historical importance," Mr Stowe reportedly said.
Previously when the owner was told the value of the glasses, Stowe said they ¡°nearly had a heart attack.¡±
The moment Gandhi's Glasses sell for ?260,000 (apologies for poor quality) - an incredible result for a very special pair of spectacles. A true honour and a real thrill to be a part of something so special. pic.twitter.com/HY6QqeHFvN
¡ª Andrew Stowe (@Auction_Andy) August 21, 2020
According to reports, the glasses are believed to have been in the family of the unnamed elderly man vendor in England, who was told by his father that they were a gift to his uncle when he was working for British Petroleum in South Africa between 1910 and 1930.
EAST BRISTOL AUCTIONS LTD
"The vendor's uncle definitely worked for British Petroleum in South Africa, and I believe Mahatma Gandhi didn't wear glasses until the late 1910s early 1920s," Stowe had said. It is likely that the glasses are one of Mahatma Gandhi's earliest pairs during his time in South Africa.
