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Magna Carta Up for Sale

Document expected to command at least $20M

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2007 4:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A 1297 copy of the Magna Carta owned by Ross Perot will go on the auction block in December, Sotheby's announced today. The document, one of 17 left in existence, is expected to sell for 20 million to $30 million, the Times reports. It had been on display at the National Archives in Washington since 1987.

A Perot Foundation employee said the sale would raise funds for other charitable causes. Perot's copy is the only one in the world that is privately owned, and the only one in the US. He described himself as "amazed" that it was available when he bought it in 1984 for $1.5 million.

An artist's rendition of King John signing the Magna Carta.
An artist's rendition of King John signing the Magna Carta.   (Archive Photos)
One of the official copies of the Magna Carta, distributed in 1215.
One of the official copies of the Magna Carta, distributed in 1215.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, became the backbone of English law, and was borrowed from heavily to write the U.S. Constitution.
The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, became the backbone of English law, and was borrowed from heavily to write the U.S. Constitution.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Sotheby%u2019s, expected to announce plans to auction it in New York in mid-December, estimates that the document will sell for $20 million to $30 million.
Sotheby%u2019s, expected to announce plans to auction it in New York in mid-December, estimates that the document will sell for $20 million to $30 million.   (Getty Images (by Event))
Children from the National Constitution Center's American Adventure camp look on as the Very Rev. Dean Philip Buckler of Lincoln Cathedral talks about the Magna Carta.
Children from the National Constitution Center's American Adventure camp look on as the Very Rev. Dean Philip Buckler of Lincoln Cathedral talks about the Magna Carta.   (Associated Press)
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More on the document and the owner
Bloomberg

More on the whereabouts of the other copies
Telegraph (UK)

The habeas corpus angle
Village Voice

Lifestyle • Politics • US • World

 
Sotheby's • Ross Perot • Magna Carta • Perot Foundation

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