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Monica Lewinsky's mementos up for auction

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Press Trust of India Washington
A collection of items once owned by infamous White House intern Monica Lewinsky, including a black negligee and a letter signed by former US President Bill Clinton, is up for auction online.

The items going under the hammer include materials Lewinsky gave to her former lover Andy Bleiler and his wife during the early 1990's.

The 32-item collection was submitted by Bleiler to special prosecutor Kenneth Starr during his investigation of Lewinsky's sexual relationship with Clinton, said Laura Yntema, the auction manager for Nate D Sanders Auctions, NBC News reported.

The lot contains a Bill Clinton typed letter signed as president, "Bill Clinton" on White House stationery, addressed to Bleiler per Lewinsky's request.
 

Dated 20 February 1996, the single-page letter reads in full, "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!"

Other items include three sealed and slightly crushed boxes of presidential M&Ms, handwritten notes and greeting cards signed by Lewinsky and several articles of casual clothing she gave to Bleiler's wife, Kate Nason.

So far there are five bids for the lot, with the highest at USD 6,490. The auction closes on June 27.

Details of Lewinsky's sexual relationship with Bleiler surfaced amid the probe that led to Clinton's 1998 impeachment by the US House of Representatives on perjury and obstruction of justice charges.

Clinton, now 66, was later acquitted by the US Senate.

Lewinsky, 39, has largely avoided the media limelight ever since.

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First Published: Jun 26 2013 | 3:40 PM IST

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