by Jo C.
Member since:
August 4, 2007

The Only American Owned Copy of the Magna Carta is Going on Auction!

September 26, 2007 02:24 AM EDT (Updated: September 26, 2007 02:27 AM EDT)
views: 60 | rating: 10/10 (11 votes) | comments: 16

      Yes, it'll be old news soon but I'm stunned. Sotheby's will be auctioning the Magna Carta in December and estimates are that it will go for between 20 and 30 million dollars. Weigh in on this one, historians, or anyone fascinated by this....do you think that price is accurate? Will it go higher? Should it even go on auction? Will it be bought by an individual or do you think it will go to a public institution or museum?

       Amazingly, when this Magna Carta came on the market before it stayed there for 4 years before Ross Perot bought it in 1984 for 1.5 million dollars. It was then loaned to the National Archives but taken back so quickly, just recently, that everyone was in shock.  This particular Magna Carta goes back to 1297....imagine....and now this piece of history will soon be on auction. 

        
 

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Comments: 16

dianne j. Sep 26, 2007, 2:33am EDT
It is really a shame to see a document of such historic significance in private hands. This is the sort of thing that should be available to the public.
M C. Sep 26, 2007, 3:27am EDT
I hope it will go to a museum..wow 20-30 million though..quite a price!
Lisa Frost Sep 26, 2007, 3:47am EDT
it is a shame that it is just another commodity to some.
Ruth MacGill Sep 26, 2007, 6:22am EDT
I can't understand how anyone would want to buy the Magna Carta and just keep it privately as an ordinary asset. It should be available for all freedom loving people to see.
Sue * Sep 26, 2007, 8:30am EDT
I agree that I hope whoever buys it donates it to a museum.
Richard B. Sep 26, 2007, 8:58am EDT
H. Ross Perot invests in the good stuff.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 26, 2007, 8:59am EDT
Actually, it sickens me that people pay millions for stuff like this, including art work. That money could be better spent doing charitable works.
Vivian P. Sep 26, 2007, 11:29am EDT
I things we put a price on I will never understand
Jo C. Sep 26, 2007, 11:50am EDT
The Perot foundation does say it is going to be using the proceeds for medical research and some charitable causes but I can't find any articles or info that suggests they tried to get it sold to a museum or American historical institution before putting it on auction...so does it come down to whoever can pay the most wins this?
Keith Kalish Sep 26, 2007, 12:19pm EDT
Maybe the buyer will put it up on amazon.com as a zShop used book for sale:>)
Richard B. Sep 26, 2007, 12:31pm EDT
People that would buy this will understand the value or they wouldn't pay 30 million for it. They would also have the resources to keep it in good condition. However, if a museum gets it that also would be fine probably.

It'll go to the highest bidder, as that is what the auction is for.
Kimberly Ripley Sep 26, 2007, 12:34pm EDT
It's too bad it couldn't be archived in an American museum.
Sheila Deeth Sep 26, 2007, 7:48pm EDT
Amazing! I hadn't realized there was a copy here. I guess I'm naive but it seems like history should maybe be public property.
Barb M Sep 26, 2007, 8:10pm EDT
Yes - it should be preserved for ALL to see - not to a private individual.
Erin P. Sep 26, 2007, 10:45pm EDT
Somebody needs to get all the museum people together to pool their resources and then put it on a display rotation.
Kelly M. Sep 30, 2007, 11:31am EDT
I'm sure whoever purchases it will loan it to a museum and use it as a tax write-off.

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