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An eccentric British millionaire has put his entire life up for sale
on the Internet -- including his title of Lord of the Manor of Warleigh
-- in the hope of converting his assets into cash.
David Piper, a hotelier who made headlines six years ago after
advertising for a wife to become his "lady of the manor," wants to sell
his west of England existence on the auction site eBay and move to
London to be closer to his children.
He is selling two hotels, two Bentleys, a collection of paintings
and his title of Lord of the Manor -- which he bought along with a
large estate for one million pounds ($2 million).
"This sale is brought about as the present lord has been diagnosed
with advanced prostate cancer," the advertisement for the sale explains.
"For sale as a whole or in part... Can include David, the existing
eccentric lord of the manor, physically as well to a suitable
purchaser."
Piper, who is well known in his hometown of Plymouth for his antics,
is hoping to raise up to 4 million pounds, although he estimates that
the total value of the estates was as much as 6 million before property
prices fell.
More than 100 bids have been received so far, with the current offer
standing at 1.3 million pounds. Bidding closes on August 11.
Piper's move follows that of Ian Usher, a British-born man living in
Perth, Australia who earlier this year auctioned off all his worldly
goods, including his home. He ended up raising much less than he had
hoped -- barely making $380,000.
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