Wikicollecting Top 10 Items of Gandhi Memorabilia Personal items of memorabilia relating to the Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi are as sought after and controversial as ever.
Here arethe 10 most expensive pieces ever sold at auction.
News-Antique.com - Apr 18,2012 - 10) Soil stained with a drop of Gandhi’s blood -
A box containing soil and blades of grass taken from the scene of Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, collected by PP Nambiar, was sold for an incredible £100,000.
Sold for £10,000 ($15,965) on 17th April 2012, Mullocks Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire, England
9) Signed photograph of Gandhi with Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover travelled to India in 1944 and there met with Gandhi. This photograph is signed by Gandhi in both Gujarati and English.
Sold for $16,250 (£10,208) on 11th October 2011 by Bonhams
8) Gandhi’s prayer book
The personal prayer book of Gandhi, written in Gujarati, including some handwritten notes and signed in places ‘Bapu’.
Sold for £10,500 ($16,712) on 17th April 2012 by Mullocks Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire, England
7) Autograph manuscript written nineteen days before Gandhi’s assassination
A manuscript written and signed by Gandhi dated the 11th January 1948, nineteen days before he was assassinated. It focuses on the subject of Urdu script and the benefits of learning it and the sorrows of Hindu and Muslim conflict in a newly independent India. It contains many notes and amendments.
Sold for £12,925 ($19,570) on 9th July 2002 by Christie’s
6) Five autograph letters and two typed letters, signed, and a telegram
Letters from Gandhi to fellow radicals Mr and Mrs Khambata between 1920 and 1932, some sent from prison after Gandhi’s arrest in Bombay in 1932.
Sold for£16,450 ($23,606) on 16th November 2001 by Christie’s
5) Collection of signed letters, autograph letters and postcards
Numerous letters from Gandhi, written either by him or on his behalf, many signed, written between 1921 and 1942. Translations included. The theme pervading the majority of these was matters of health and Gandhi’s philosophy of the treatment of the body.
Sold for £18,800 ($29,554) on 6th December 2002 by Christie’s
4) Gandhi’s Charkha -
Gandhi’s Charka was his portable spinning wheel, which he took travelling with him. Gandhi encouraged men to spin, and he would often spin in public, as a demonstration of passive resistance.
Sold for £26,500 ($42,180) on 17th April 2012 by Mullocks Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire, England
3) Archive of correspondence
A selection of letters from Gandhi to his brother and nephew including numerous signed letters and many autograph letters, sent from all over the world between 1888 and 1944. Therefore some of these represent the earliest of Gandhi’s correspondence. Most of these letters are personal discussions of the conflict between Gandhi’s dedication to his work and obligations to his family. There are English translations included.
Sold for $45,410 (£28,526) on 19th February, 2006 by Bonhams
2) Gandhi’s glasses
Gandhi’s iconic glasses sold on their own for a remarkable £34,000.
Sold for £34,000 ($54,118) on 17th April 2012 by Mullocks Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse, Shropshire, England
1) Gandhi’s personal affects -
Collector James Otis sold his array of Gandhi items, including his iconic glasses, sandals Gandhi made himself, a plate and bowl from which he ate his last meal
