Magna Carta copy auctioned in New York
Published December 19th, 2007
A rare copy of the Magna Carta has been sold for £10.6million in an auction at Sotheby’s in New York.
The copy dating from 1297, one of only 17 still in existence, was bought by US businessman David Rubenstein.
The auction item had been owned by American billionaire Ross Perot’s Perot Foundation since 1984 and was on view at the National Archives in Washington.
The original Magna Carta was sealed by King John of England in 1215 and enshrined civil rights in English law.
Mr Rubenstein, co-founder of private equity firm The Carlyle Group, wants to put the document back on display at the National Archives.
He said: “I have always believed that the three most important documents were the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta.
“This document stands the test of time. There is nothing more important than what it represents.
“I am privileged to be the new owner, but I am only the temporary custodian.
“This is a gift to the American people. It is important to me that it stays in the United States.”
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