Is there a limit to how much attention one celebutante can get? Apparently not.
A Phoenix-based broker is trying to auction off a veritable "King Tut's tomb" of Paris Hilton-abilia discovered in a Los Angeles-area storage locker, including photos of Hilton in various stages of undress, as well as her personal diaries recounting sexual escapades.
He's seeking $20 million.
David Hans Schmidt, dubbed the "Sultan of Sleaze" for brokering deals involving celebrity porn, said the items were obtained last November when the contents of the storage facility were sold off for $2,775.
Schmidt said the items include 18 diaries whose pages recount Hilton's sexual dalliances, celebrity encounters and other adventures; photographs of Hilton in a number of locales, such as St. Tropez, and "wild parties" on yachts and in private homes; as well as her computers, clothing, videos and furniture.
A publicist for the hotel heiress, who is famous for being famous, confirmed that Hilton's personal belongings had been "illegally seized" from the storage facility, but said he could not comment on Schmidt's description of the items because he has not seen them.
The publicist, Elliot Mintz, said the things were left at the storage facility while Hilton, 24, was moving from one Hollywood Hills home, where she had lived with her sister, Nicky, to another nearby in 2004. But, due to what the publicist called a "bureaucratic foul-up," the items were sold to an unidentified buyer.
Mintz said Hilton was "incredibly upset and angry" and felt "victimized."
He added that Hilton's lawyers are threatening legal action against anyone in possession of the items.
Schmidt said the things were being kept in a safe location, out of state.
Although he said he initially thought the items might sell for about $5 million, after further review he said the bidding could start at $20 million.
Schmidt said he would be happy to return the items to Hilton -- if she can afford the asking price.
"I might give a small discount to Paris," Schmidt added.
Mintz said he was "certainly not closing the door" on Hilton's buying back the materials, but he also characterized the $20-million asking price as "rather irrational."
Mintz said he issued a news release Thursday drawing attention to the items in the hope that "someone is going to do the right thing, contact us and arrange for the return of the goods."
