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On the day that is supposed to be Nelson Mandela's 96th birthday, a collection of signed items by the former South African President will be auctioned off.

July 18, 1918 was the birth date of Mandela, who died December 5 of last year, and who was respected around the world for fighting minority rule in South Africa.

In 1990, Mr. Mandela was released after spending 27 years in prison by the last white ruler of South Africa Mr.  Frederik Willem De Klerk.

Mandela was the first Black President of South Africa who took office in 1994 at the age of 76 and chose not to run for a second term in 1999.

Mr. Mandela signed many, many things as stated by Savo Tufegdzic of Stephan Welz and Company, the firm that will put 202 unusual items for auction.

"People always look for autographs, but there are only a handful of items signed by those celebrities. In the case of Nelson Mandela, every person can own a piece of him," said Tufegdzic.

Mr. Mandela loves to entertain celebrities and notable people, and among the many photographs signed by him is a picture of him meeting "King of Pop" Michael Jackson taken in 1995.

Also up for auction is a chess set with figurines depicting Mr. Mandela himself along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in both sides of the apartheid in battle.

The set has some missing pieces but still hopes to get around US$950 up to US$1,400.

Also included in the option are salt and pepper shakers, statues, refrigerator magnets, ostrich eggs, medals, books and photographs.

An amount of US$450,000 is expected to be raised in the auctions and will be given to charity. A small part of the money raised will go to the Foundation of Rural Development run by Ndileka Mandela, Mr. Mandela's grand-daughter.

TagsMichael Jackson, Frederik Willem De Klerk, apartheid, South Africa, Ndileka Mandela, Nelson Mandela birthday