Nelson Mandela auction in NYC halted over an international controversy
A New York auction of Nelson Mandela’s possessions has been called off, and the scotched sale has even kicked off an international incident.
At the time, the president of Guernsey’s auction house, Arlan Ettinger, told us the sale would go on with or without the key.“We had a major controversy come up,” Ettinger explained on Tuesday of the cancellation. Guernsey’s was contacted by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, he said, which “determined that these items were potential national treasures, and hence when something is designated [as such], it requires permits to leave South Africa.
Ettinger pointed out that Mandela’s personal items included a book inscribed by the late South African president to his own daughter, but “the agency was adamant nothing could be sold, and none of these items should have left” South Africa. Ettinger has even received a letter from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization offering to step in and mediate the matter in Paris.
But now, “it’s not for us to make that call,” he said of any next steps. “Let me emphasize that we’re not a big company. … We are known for doing events that have meaning beyond just making money for people,” including nonprofits. “We are now in the middle.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Some Of The Realest Reasons To Love NYC Are Found In This 1976 Listicle'Being nostalgic about things in New York that never were so great,' 'hating pigeons,' and 'the best water‐supply system in the nation' are highlights from a brutally honest and specific 1976 New York Times listicle about why New Yorkers love their city.
Read more »
Sotheby’s auctions its largest cut diamond yetAuction house Sotheby’s has unveiled a 555.55-carat black diamond that will be up for auction next month, its largest single-lot diamond offering to date.
Read more »
Out of this world: 555.55-carat black diamond lands in DubaiAuction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world.
Read more »
Out of This World: 555.55-Carat Black Diamond Lands in DubaiAuction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world
Read more »
'Bad Boys' Porsche 911 Turbo sells for more than $1.4MA famous movie Porsche 911 Turbo managed to set the auction block on fire.
Read more »