Skull Withdrawn from Christie's Sale

Due to an ownership issue, a human skull that belonged to Yale's Skull and Bones society has been withdrawn.  The skull was supposedly used as a ballot box for voting, with a top flap or door cut into it and hinged to open and accept ballots.

The Associated Press report is very short, so I will post in its entirety.

NEW YORK -- A New York City auction house says a human skull that had been used as a ballot box by Yale's elite Skull and Bones society has been withdrawn from sale.

Christie's said Friday that the 19th century skull was being removed from the Jan. 22 sale due to a title claim. The auction house declined further comment.

The skull had been expected to sell for $10,000 to $20,000. Christie's only identified the seller as a European art collector.

The skull is fitted with a hinged flap and is believed to have been used during voting at the mysterious society's meetings. The club was founded in 1832 and publicly known members, called Bonesmen, include both presidents Bush and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.