Lay, Skilling's desks for sale on eBay

You remember when the E-shaped signs that used to identify Enron's headquarters sold for tens of thousands of dollars at auction, right? Well, if you missed the chance to blow your retirement fund on a big, shiny E, here's another opportunity to own a piece of the ill-fated energy company: The desks that once belonged to Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling are up for sale on eBay.

Lay's desk and Skilling's desk were custom-designed by Brochsteins. The pieces are modern and appropriately massive; each has a Makore Pommelle veneer (honestly, we have no idea what that is, but it sounds fancy) and, according to Brochsteins, would cost well into the five figures to reproduce today. Given that, the minimum required bid of $25,000 is a bargain ... right?

In case you wondered, the $50,000-plus the desks will bring won't line the pockets of some individual lucky enough to end up with the furniture: The group that bought the former Enron building at 1400 Smith donated the desks to Saving Animals Across Borders, a group that's trying to end pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering cats and dogs and promoting adoptions for homeless animals, so proceeds from the sale will benefit Saving Animals. Sean Hawkins, the group's founder, said they accepted the desks because Enron supported animal welfare groups and the Lay family made donations to and provided office space for the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program. "We felt that this was one last time that Enron could contribute to Houston," Hawkins said.

The auctions end at 9:45 p.m. March 24.