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Magna Carta Back in US Archives

Carlyle Group founder returns it after buying for $21.3M

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 5:35 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Magna Carta returned to the National Archives yesterday after facing an uncertain fate on the auction block last year, the Washington Post reports. The 13th-century English document, a precursor to the US Bill of Rights 500 years later, is now on permanent loan from a US businessman who bought for $21 million. 

"Today we celebrate the return to the National Archives of one of the most important documents in history," said the Archive's chief. "The principles embodied in it have endured through the centuries." David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, donated the document after buying it at Sotheby's from previous owner Ross Perot.

This undated photo released by Sotheby's shows a copy of the Magna Carta. (AP Photo/Sotheby's, HO)
This undated photo released by Sotheby's shows a copy of the Magna Carta. (AP Photo/Sotheby's, HO)   (Associated Press)
This imaged provided by David Rubenstein shows the 1297 Magna Carta that Rubenstein recently purchased and will return to public display at the National Archives in Washington in March 2008. (AP Photo/The National Archives)
This imaged provided by David Rubenstein shows the 1297 Magna Carta that Rubenstein recently purchased and will return to public display at the National Archives in Washington in March 2008. (AP Photo/The...   (Associated Press)
David Rubenstein, far right, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, looks over the document during an event at the National Archives in Washington, Monday, March 3, 2008. The Magna Carta will return to public display at the National Archives in March. (AP...
David Rubenstein, far right, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, looks over the document during an event at the National Archives in Washington, Monday,...   (Associated Press)
David Rubenstein, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, poses for a photo with the document, Monday, March 3, 2008, at the National Archives in Washington. The Magna Carta will return to public display at the National Archives in March. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
David Rubenstein, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, poses for a photo with the document, Monday, March 3, 2008, at the National Archives in Washington....   (Associated Press)
David Rubenstein, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, poses for a photo with the document, Monday, March 3, 2008, at the National Archives in Washington. The Magna Carta will return to public display at the National Archives in March. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
David Rubenstein, who recently purchased the one of the only four remaining 1297 Magna Carta documents, poses for a photo with the document, Monday, March 3, 2008, at the National Archives in Washington....   (Associated Press)
This undated file photo released by Sotheby's shows a copy of the Magna Carta. (AP Photo/Sotheby's, File)
This undated file photo released by Sotheby's shows a copy of the Magna Carta. (AP Photo/Sotheby's, File)   (Associated Press)
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More on the history of the Magna Carta
New York Times

This version of the Magna Carta in 'very good shape'
CNN

World • US

 
Bill of Rights • democracy • Carlyle Group • David Rubenstein • Magna Carta • National Archives • history of democracy • Declaration of Independence

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