Fla gets $1M from unclaimed property auction

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — As detective Sherlock Holmes often said it’s “elementary,” but now he’s also helping Florida’s middle and high schools.

A handwritten letter signed by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is among unclaimed property that’s been auctioned off to benefit the state’s schools.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said Tuesday that Saturday’s auction in Ponte Vedra Beach brought in $1 million.

Other items included a vintage Leica camera, an American Indian belt with 200 grams of silver and a gold Elgin pocket watch.

All were left in abandoned safe deposit boxes at Florida banks.

Most of the items, though, are returned to their owners.

So far this year, property valued at more than $134 million has been returned. That includes a record $24.7 million in June.

Source: Associated Press