Court halts sale of Evita Peron, remember (Reuters)

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – a Court in Argentina has blocked a bid in the auction items that once belonged to General Juan Peron and his wife glamour Avoids.

Mario Rotundo, a former aide to the post-war leader private Argentine hopes to sell items from the collection for multimillion dollar bidder, but the judge wants to investigate their authenticity.

Past auctions have riled up historical and Government officials who think the memorabilia from the couple of power 1940s-era, where the memory still looms on Argentina, should be turned over to the State as part of the heritage of the country.

Rotundo agreed but said that the Government will have to pay.

"The Government must decide if they want to buy them or not, and if not, we are free to continue auctioning them off," said Rotundo, 61.

Hundreds of books and documents, many of which are dedicated to Peron, copies of letters he wrote while in exile, who belonged to Avoid bags, radios, typewriters and ashtrays are stored in a cramped apartment, without Windows in Buenos Aires.

The tombstone of the tomb of dog Peron Canela, with an inscription reading ' Canela, the best and most faithful friends, ' sits in a corner of the apartment.

Rotundo said has over 10,000 articles worth almost $ 5 million, and is working to recover several more thousand objects, which he estimates could recover the $ 20 million.

But selling memorabilia, which would finance the good works of its founding Funpaz said, is because of a legal dispute.

Evita died of cancer in 1952 and Peron was overthrown by a coup, three years later. He returned from exile to become President again in 1973 but died a year later.

Rotundo said that he met Peron in 1970 in Spain, where the former leader lived in exile while he planned his return to Argentina. He served as a confidant of Peron before his death, he said.

Rotundo said that it wanted to preserve Peron belongings after his death. The third wife of Peron, Maria Estela Martinez, who is known as Isabel, have decided to donate items of Rotundo Foundation in 1990 but subsequently disputed his claims in court.

Meanwhile, Rotundo sold relics. In 2004, was auctioned at Christie's many elements in Rome, including the shroud of silk that remains of avoids covered. Sold for $ 159,300, more than three times its estimated price.

Lorenzo pepe, the head of Juan Domingo Peron National Institute, he led the legal unit to take a look closely together of Rotundo.

"If what is belonged to Peron, the Government is obliged to expropriate it. Pay the corresponding amount, "Lawrence said in an interview.

(Editing by Hilary Burke and Patricia Reaney)

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