Comments on: The Fight Over Gandhi’s Glasses

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:07:19 +0000

Hi, riscphree- The closing bid was $1.8 million USD– WAAAAY above the auction house estimate! But in a twist, Otis pulled the items off the stand. The story, it appears, is to be continued….

(Report comment)

By: riscphree

riscphree — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:12:24 +0000

Anyone know how much the auction went for?

(Report comment)

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:06:56 +0000

Eva- According to a Newsday and NPR (local WNYC) report, the items were all passed by Gandhi to individuals (some family, others acquaintances or strangers) in his travels; Otis acquired them later at auction. The pacifism education tour was proposed, as I understand it, after India learned of the auction and demanded that the items be returned. Otis said he'd agree to return the items if India agreed to host a pacifism education tour. His own plan–admittedly less detailed in reports that have been published so far–was reportedly to use the proceeds of the auction to launch anti-poverty awareness campaigns in India and other developing nations.

(Report comment)

By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:02:17 +0000

Huh. After reading the AP article I am even more suspicious/less sympathetic. He doesn't seem to be planning to bankroll an anti-poverty campaign? It only mentioned the planned pacifism education tour.

(Report comment)

By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:56:34 +0000

I'm torn on this one. I kind of hate private collectors, and I'd really be curious to learn how these items wound up on the private market to begin with. Also, there's nothing binding him to his anti-poverty promises — he's a private individual, not an NGO, and once the sale is made he has zero accountability. On the other hand, assuming he's legit then his heart is certainly in the right place…

(Report comment)