Antiquorum Auction Pictures | Mahatma Gandhi Article Auction Pictures | Auctioned Articles Pictures

Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya is very pleased with his purchase of a set of Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings including his iconic round-rimmed spectacles as he is bringing the national heritage home. Confusion prevailed for hours in the run up to Thursday's auction of Gandhi memorabilia as a throng of journalists gathered at the East 57th Street headquarters of Antiquorum Auctioneers handling the sale. Tony Bedi, the representative of Mallya who bought the items for USSD 1.8 million at the auction said his client is 'really pleased with the purchase' as 'he is bringing the heritage of the items back to India'.



In this undated file photo released by Antiquorum Auctioneers, Mahatma Gandhi's glasses and case are shown. The items will be offered at auction by Antiquorum in New York on March 5, 2009.The great-grandson of Gandhi said Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, that he has launched a fundraising campaign to buy a rare collection of the Indian independence leader's personal items that are up for auction and bring them back to India.




Toni Bedi, left, an executive of UB Group who was acting on instructions of the Indian company's CEO Vijay Mallya, and Sant Singh Chatwal, right, speak to reporters at the Antiquorum auction house after placing the winning bid for Mohandas Gandhi's items, Thursday, March 5, 2009 in New York.



Owner James Otis, left, and his lawyer Ravi Batra, speak to reporters outside the Antiquorum auction house, Thursday, March 5, 2009 in New York. Mohandas Gandhi's eyeglasses and other items have been sold at auction for $1.8 million to an Indian freight company that says it wants to donate the possessions to the Indian government. Confusion surrounded Thursday's sale, which had raised an outcry in India.



People bid for Mohandas Gandhi's items at an auction at Antiquorum in New York, Thursday, March 5, 2009 in New York.