For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Andrew Turner

866.626.4661 – ext. 1018

alturner@manions.com

 

Saddam Hussein uniform brings hefty price on Internet auction

A recent piece of military history sells for 16k through Manion’s International Auction House

 

Kansas City, Kansas (January 16, 2006) - A US Army 3rd Division Soldier "liberated" a uniform tailored for Saddam Hussein soon after Baghdad International Airport fell to US Forces.

 

With official authorization, the soldier sent the uniform to Manion's International Auction House, where it sold for over $16,000 on their website.

The auction works on a consignment basis, with the company taking a nominal commission from the buyer and the seller. Part of the commission Manion's received from the sale of the Saddam uniform is being donated to the National Military Family Association

"The auction itself didn't make an immense profit from the sale of this uniform," says company spokesperson John Conway, "but we feel a donation to this cause is the least we can do."

Thousands of bidders, and curious surfers, from around the globe visited to catch a peek of the uniform and read the description. Numerous stories were published in newspapers, and on websites worldwide, as news of the uniform made its way across the planet.

"Sellers and Bidders on Manion's Auction enjoy anonymity," said Conway, "we take care of all aspects of the sale, from writing the description to shipping the items. The winning bidder sends the payment to Manion's, and we send the consigner a check."

Although bidder information remains strictly confidential, Conway mentioned Saddam's uniform drew interest from Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, in addition to the US and Europe.

 

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