Monica Lewinsky Negligee, Clinton Impeachment Memorabilia Up For Auction
An interesting new auction is taking place in Los Angeles this week, and it represents a controversial point in America's history. Up for sale are numerous items of memorabilia surrounding President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky.
There are 32 items in total that are up for auction, and all were examined as potential evidence by prosecutor Kenneth Starr against President Clinton during his 1998 impeachment hearing. All of the items have garnered significant interest, especially an extra large black negligee belonging to Lewinsky as well as several letters from parties of interest to the investigation.
"Items owned by Monica Lewinsky, especially relating to the Clinton scandal and Ken Starr investigation are exceedingly rare," auctioneer Nate D. Sanders said in a statement. "This is, to my knowledge, the only collection of this nature to come to light."
One item that is unfortunately missing from the auction was the infamous stained blue dress that helped prove that the president had an affair with Lewinsky. A letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton that was addressed to Andy Bleiler is also included. Bleiler had an affair with Lewinsky and was intimately tied up in the ensuing impeachment proceedings.
''Dear Andy: Hillary and I want to personally extend our warmest wishes to you as you gather with your family and friends to celebrate your birthday. As you look forward to the year ahead, please accept our best wishes for good health and much happiness. Happy Birthday!'' reads one note to Bleiler.
Bleiler's involvement in the case came about once Starr found out that he too had an affair with Lewinsky. Several of his personal affects related to Lewinsky and the Clintons were taken in as evidence in the case. Those items ranged from the mundane (sworn affidavits) to being quite personal in nature.
In one of her letters to Bleiler, Lewinsky wrote: "I thought (an enclosed ring) might fit a manly man like you (am I good at lying through my teeth or what...you a 'manly man' - ha-ha)!"
The auction is being held online by the Nate D. Sanders auction house, and it is expected that they will reach a total of at least $25,000 in sales. Currently, the highest bidder on these items stands at $2,750, but people have until Jun. 27 to outbid them.