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Nelson Mandela memorabilia to be auctioned Nelson Mandela memorabilia auctioned in South Africa
(about 20 hours later)
A collection of unusual items signed by South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is to be auctioned later in Johannesburg. A collection of unusual items signed by South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has been auctioned in Johannesburg.
The lots include a chess set, of figures from either side of the apartheid battle, and salt and pepper shakers of Mr Mandela and FW de Klerk. The lots included a chess set, of figures from either side of the apartheid battle, and salt and pepper shakers of Mr Mandela and FW de Klerk.
The sale items is expected to raise around $450,000 (£260,000) for charity. The sale raised some $160,000 (£93,000) for charity - less than anticipated.
Mr Mandela, who died in December aged 95, was revered around the world for fighting minority rule in South Africa.Mr Mandela, who died in December aged 95, was revered around the world for fighting minority rule in South Africa.
He spent 27 years in prison, before being released in 1990 by Mr De Klerk, South Africa's last white ruler.He spent 27 years in prison, before being released in 1990 by Mr De Klerk, South Africa's last white ruler.
Mr Mandela became the country's first black president in 1994 and stepped down in 1999.Mr Mandela became the country's first black president in 1994 and stepped down in 1999.
'Ostrich eggs''Ostrich eggs'
The auction of 202 lots is being held on the eve of what would have been his 96th birthday. The auction was held on the eve of what would have been his 96th birthday.
"Nelson Mandela signed many, many, many things. And that's what I like about it [the auction]," said Savo Tufegdzic of Stephan Welz & Co, the firm that will put the items under the hammer. About 60% of the 202 lots were sold, mostly to collectors, according to Savo Tufegdzic, one of the organisers.
"People always look for autographs, but there are only a handful of items signed by those celebrities. In the case of Nelson Mandela, every person can own a piece of him."
The chess set has pieces depicting Mr Mandela, his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu facing off against apartheid leaders.The chess set has pieces depicting Mr Mandela, his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu facing off against apartheid leaders.
The set, which has some pieces missing, is thought to be worth between $950 and $1,400, the South African Press Association (Sapa) news agency reports. The set, which has some pieces missing, was sold for $750 (£430).
"Our estimates are not high," Mr Tufegdzic is quoted as saying. "It is not about making money on this auction. It is actually to encourage collecting. I don't want to go and encourage people to sell Mandela items. I want to encourage them to keep them," Mr Tufegdzic was quoted as saying before the auction.
"It is not about making money on this auction. It is actually to encourage collecting. I don't want to go and encourage people to sell Mandela items. I want to encourage them to keep them." It also included objects ranging from statues, photographs, refrigerator magnets, ostrich eggs, medals, books and even a batch of 850 Chinese telephone cards emblazoned with Mr Mandela's image.
The auction also includes objects ranging from statues, photographs, refrigerator magnets, ostrich eggs, medals, books and even a batch of 850 Chinese telephone cards emblazoned with Mr Mandela's image. Some of the money raised will go to the Foundation for Rural Development run by Mr Mandela's grand-daughter Ndileka Mandela.
Some of the money raised would go to the Foundation for Rural Development run by Mr Mandela's grand-daughter Ndileka Mandela, Sapa reports.