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Maya Angelou fans get opportunity to buy late poet's personal belongings

All of her personal treasures, from books to paintings to cookware, is now for sale.

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Fans flocked to Maya Angelou’s Winston-Salem home Thursday to pay their respects and their money for a chance at owning something that belonged to the late poet.

All of her personal treasures, from books to paintings to cookware, is now for sale.

Javol Bell bought books to inspire his daughter.

"Just to pick out some things that she touched or she lived with, you know, it's nice. It's a real nice feeling,” said Bell.

Clevette Holbert got the opportunity to meet Angelou years ago, but became overwhelmed as she looked over a picnic basket owned by the woman she says is her personal inspiration.

“She was an idol of mine,” Holbert said. “Memories, even talking about it brings me to tears.”

Estate sale administrator Larry Laster says that he does not believe that Angelou would have wanted her belongings placed in a museum. He said that the number of people interested in purchasing items that once belonged to Angelou speaks to the impact she made on the world.

“It says that she is internationally respected as an author, as a poet, as a person, as an activist, as a woman,” said Laster.

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