Ramses statue sale put on hold

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MEMPHIS, May 19 (UPI) -- A Memphis City Council member delayed the sale of a Ramses the Great statue to the University of Memphis to allow other bidders to make offers.

The university said a donor has offered to front the $42,000 to $50,000 bill for moving the statue of the Egyptian pharaoh, which stands in front of a closed arena, The Pyramid, to its campus. However, Council Member Joe Brown put the plans on hold during Tuesday's meeting to allow other potential buyers to make offers, The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal reported Wednesday.

"I want everybody to be able to send a response back," Brown said. "Other groups may be interested and we want to be transparent."

The city entered into an agreement with Bass Pro Shops last year for the redevelopment of The Pyramid. The city and retail chain agreed the $250,000 statue should be moved.

The statue is the only replica of the 50-ton statue representing the 13th century B.C. pharaoh authorized by the Egyptian government.