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Auction shows interest in ex-Romanian dictator Ceausescu persists Auction shows interest in ex-Romanian dictator Ceausescu persists
(34 minutes later)
Bidders in Romania have spent €50,000 (£37,000) buying Communist memorabilia in an auction that included items belonging to the late Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.Bidders in Romania have spent €50,000 (£37,000) buying Communist memorabilia in an auction that included items belonging to the late Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
The star lot was a Communist party card issued to Ceausescu in 1954, when it was known as the Workers’ party. It was sold for €2,000, seven times the asking price, sparking applause in the room.The star lot was a Communist party card issued to Ceausescu in 1954, when it was known as the Workers’ party. It was sold for €2,000, seven times the asking price, sparking applause in the room.
Dozens attended the auction on Wednesday night at the 19th-century Athénée Palace Hotel, a Bucharest landmark. Bids also came in by phone and online for the items, some luxurious, others of historical interest. Dozens attended the auction on Wednesday night at the 19th-century Athénée Palace hotel, a Bucharest landmark. Bids also came in by phone and online for the items, some luxurious, others of historical interest.
Ceausescu led one of the most repressive regimes in eastern Europe, but some remain fascinated with his life 25 years after he and his wife, Elena, were deposed and executed during the 1989 revolution.Ceausescu led one of the most repressive regimes in eastern Europe, but some remain fascinated with his life 25 years after he and his wife, Elena, were deposed and executed during the 1989 revolution.
The party card shows Ceausescu’s father was a member of the centre-right Liberal party and the family were landowners – surprisingly middle-class origins for a leader who championed the rights of the masses.The party card shows Ceausescu’s father was a member of the centre-right Liberal party and the family were landowners – surprisingly middle-class origins for a leader who championed the rights of the masses.
A woman who outbid everyone to buy the card quickly left the auction, saying she would donate it to a museum.A woman who outbid everyone to buy the card quickly left the auction, saying she would donate it to a museum.
Ceausescu’s flat cap, which he wore with everything including suits, sold for €350. Other items included posters warning against Aids that were never made public, because Ceausescu banned public information about the disease.Ceausescu’s flat cap, which he wore with everything including suits, sold for €350. Other items included posters warning against Aids that were never made public, because Ceausescu banned public information about the disease.
The Artmark auction house said on Thursday that 78 of the 116 items were sold.The Artmark auction house said on Thursday that 78 of the 116 items were sold.