On December 18th in Sotheby’s
New York auction rooms a
buyer purchased one of the
most important manuscripts in
existence for the staggering price of $21,321,000.
Luckily for America, the patriotic buyer was
David Rubenstein, a co-founder of The Carlyle
Group, global private equity firm. The royal
document being offered on the podium that
evening was none other than the world famous
Magna Carta, the most famous document in
existence. For 22 years, it had been on view
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“OVER THE YEARS, MILLIONS
of people visiting the Rotunda had viewed the Magna Carta, which is
widely considered to be “the birth certifi cate of freedom.”
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alongside the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution of the United States
at the National Archives in Washington.
Originally owned by the Brudnell family of
Deene Park, Northhampstonshire, England,
since the late 14th century,
the document was acquired
by the Perot Foundation in
1983 and immediately placed
on exhibition in the United
States in the Rotunda of the
National Archives so it could
be seen in America. When the
Perot Foundation decided to
offer the document at public
auction to generate proceeds to
benefit its charitable activities,
the extraordinary document
was at risk of vanishing from
public view in America. Upon
hearing of the upcoming sale,
Rubenstein, who had visited
the Archives several times
to view the manuscript was
convinced that it needed to
stay in America. Rubenstein,
who worked in the White
House during the Carter
Administration, decided to
bid on the document so that
he could restore it to the exhibition
space at the National Archives.
Over the years, millions of people
visiting the National Archives had
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viewed the Magna Carta, which is widely
considered to be “ the birth certificate of
freedom.” Dated 1297 and issued by King
Edward I, the iconic vellum manuscript is
the original charter enshrining the rights
of man into English law. The Magna Carta,
which is Latin for “Great Charter,” expresses
the fundamental idea that no man is above
the law, and it required the king to renounce
certain rights, respect legal procedures and
accept that his will could be bound by law.
The copy sold by Sotheby’s is one of fewer
than 20 examples of the Magna Carta, one of
only two copies outside of England and the
only one ever likely to be sold publicly. Its
spirit is dear to Americans as it is considered
to be the inspiration for the founding fathers
of America when they asserted their rightful
liberties from King George III and the English
Parliament.
After becoming the successful buyer at
the sale, Rubenstein, who intends to place
the document back on view at the National
Archives, said, “ Today is a good day for our
country. I am an American citizen; I work in
Washington, D.C., 300 feet from the National
Archives. 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 a temporary custodian.
This is a gift to the American people.”
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