Maria Callas' corset brings 41,000 francs

With clever marketing that timed the sale with the anniversary of her birthday December 2, a simple corset brought 41,000 francs (5,500 dollars) and a folding picture of the Holy Family that she carried everywhere brought 1 million francs (134,000 dollars). The first hundred objects being sold by private collectors brought 6 million francs (804,000 dollars) - nearly the amount originally anticipated from the entire auction. The first object, a signed photograph, started at 3,000 francs and quadrupled in price within a minute.

Buyers flocked from abroad to attend the auction, including one who was bidding on the underwear. He said he intended to destroy them to protect Callas' legend from being tarnished by such a scandalous offering ever again. The auction continues on Sunday, with glasses nylon stockings and furniture. Callas died at age 54 under mysterious circumstances, and spent the last years of her life devastated by the marriage of her long- time lover Aristotle Onassis to Jaqueline Kennedy. Fans have set up an Internet website in her honour.

(dpa)