Skull Tied to Yale Secret Society for Sale

A human skull that once apparently belonged to Yale's mysterious Skull and Bones society is now for sale.

Christie's auction house believes the skull was used as a ballot box around 1872. It has a hinge on top and is surrounded by crossbones.

Skull and Bones has closely guarded its members' names and its activities since the early 1970s. Publicly known members of the elite society include both presidents Bush.

The purchaser also will get a black book with names and photographs of earlier members.

The society was founded in 1832.

The auction is Jan. 22. The presale estimate is $10,000 to $20,000.

Fittingly, Christie's has agreed to keep the seller's name a secret. It describes the person only as a European art collector.