Winston Churchill's blood sample to be auctioned

A vial containing a few drops of blood from former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill could fetch an estimated 600 pounds at an auction.
The tiny phial containing drops of Churchill's blood will go under the hammer at Duke's auction house next month in Dorset.
The sample, taken in 1962 when 87-year-old Churchill was recovering from a broken hip, had been kept by a nurse who looked after the wartime leader at Middlesex Hospital.
The blood was about to be disposed of when the nurse called Patricia Fitzgibbon asked if she could keep the tube, which was clearly labelled with Churchill's name, 'Guardian' reported.

Fitzgibbon was given permission and kept it for the rest of her life. Now it is being put up for auction following her death.
"It is impossible to put an accurate estimate on this unique piece of history," said Timothy Medhurst, of Duke's auction house.

"It is probably the first time that such a personal piece of Churchill's history has been offered on the open market.
"This year marks the 50-year anniversary of Churchill's death. The blood is a poignant reminder of an injury which marked the beginning of the end for Churchill and, as such, we expect there to be great interest in it. It could sell for thousands," said Medhurst.

The blood will be sold together with a signed declaration by Fitzgibbon detailing the circumstances in which she acquired the phial.