Ronald Reagan blood vial auction cancelled after outrage

The online auction of a vial of Ronald Reagan’s blood has been terminated following outrage from the former US President’s foundation in California.

Bidding on the vial reached £19,151 before it was removed from the PFC auctions site. The blood was said to have been taken while Mr Reagan was being treated for a punctured lung at George Washington University Hospital in 1981. He was shot by John Hinckley Jr just 69 days into his first term as leader.

The vial’s consignor, who bought the vial at a US auction for £2,260 in February, will now donate the collectible to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

The Foundation’s executive director, John Heubusch, said he was “grateful to the current custodian of the vial for this generous donation to the Foundation ensuring President Reagan’s blood remains out of public hands”. He had earlier described the vial’s sale as a “craven” act.

The seller, a “serious collector of Presidential memorabilia”, said that while they initially believed that the Foundation “had no interest in the item”, they would be “delighted” to see it go on display.