The Magna Carta is Up for Auction
An original copy of the 1297 Magna Carta is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York
Preliminary estimate and guide price $20-$30 million !
This is one of only 2 copies that are known to exist outside of the United Kingdom, the other is in Australia and is ’state owned’
The iconic manuscript, on velum, is the original charter that enshrined the rights of man into English law and is, quite reasonably, billed as the most important printed document ever offered for sale, presumably they should add a certain timeline to that statement.
The Magna Carta
The actual copy to be sold by Sotheby’s.
Scholars Please Note: The original does not have rodcollins.com on it
There are about 20 copies of the original document in existence though none of the others are ever likely to be offered for sale. This then would be the one and only chance to obtain a copy.
Presumably, given the estimate, it will be bound for some institution with the final price being dictated by how much competition there is at that level.
This copy has been on show along side the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States at the National Archives in Washington for over 20 years so the provenance isn’t bad !
If any of our readers are interested in purchasing I’ll be happy to handle the bidding for you and secure the book - usual commission rates for buying at auction by proxy of 10% on hammer price !
It will be very interesting to see just how much it goes for, I suspect it will be either slightly disappointing or incredibly high - nothing in the middle
Watch this space
Jordan said,
October 2, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
RC
Better check my bank account see if the funds are available! Do you want to go halves?
Jordan
Rod said,
October 2, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Jordan
I would have gone halves with you but my cash flow is suffering at the moment, I’ve just spent £16 on a DVD
RC
A Retired Bookdealer said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Hello All,
Count me in for the whip-round ( £10.00 ), my guess is we would not get a chance to make one bid in the auction room.
This is going to go well over the estimate.
I have a box full of old velum documents in the store room, Is it worth taking a closer look at them ?.
Jordan said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
ARB
I think with RC’s contribution we are well on our way!
LB could make us some ‘pack-up’ for our journey. WoE could knock all the other bidders out with their broomsticks or, failing that, Femme Fatale could provide entertainment to distract the other bidders.
Then there is always SC, who could just knock everyone out and take it.
A plan?
Jordan
Witches of Eastwick said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
ARB,
Indeed it is, in answer to your question. We hear the walls of RC’s privy are pasted with similar documents. In fact he’s probably in there now searching for the lost copy of the Wybers Wood Magna Carta. Is he making an aesthetic statement? No, more like saving money on emulsion
WoE
Witches of Eastwick said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Jordan and Femme Fatale,
Is it too late for a new Magna Carta listing womens rights and particular interests. We’ve read the ‘old’ one and there’s not much in it for us…
Plan B?
WoE
p.s. fortunately burning at the stake wasn’t mentioned either, phew!
Rod said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Jordan
It feels like a plan is coming together, if we get it we can put it on display and charge a £1 to look at it - if we all live long enough we’ll be rich !
I think ARB has already handled a copy !
He ebayed it about 4 years ago, went for £4.99 I seem to recall
RC
A Retired Bookdealer said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Jordan,
Sounds like a plan to me …. delighted to hear the man himself will be funding the day out.
Looking forward to LB’s pack up lunch more than viewing a document that I would struggle to read, even with my glasses on !.
Rod said,
October 3, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
WoE
Is it too late for a new Magna Carta listing womens rights
Doesn’t the police act already cover that ?
You have the right to remain silent
A Retired Bookdealer said,
October 3, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
WoE,
Regarding,
RC’s privy
Like all the other politicians and the like, obviously where he gets his best ideas !
A Retired Bookdealer said,
October 3, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
I’ve just spent £16 on a DVD
Rod,
I though I was extravagant when I pushed the boat out for 300 earlier in the week.
Which was OK.
The worst thing for me this week was that I missed the Sopranos
Sunday, luckily it gets re-run on the digital thingy every evening, or so it seems.
Witches of Eastwick said,
October 3, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
ARB,
Like all the other politicians and the like, obviously where he gets his best ideas !
If that’s the case then he’s obviously not spending enough time in his illustrious privy
WoE
Rod said,
October 3, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
WoE
If that’s the case then he’s obviously not spending enough time in his illustrious privy
That’ll explain why I’m full of **** then !
Femme Fatale said,
October 4, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
Jordan,
I would gladly be the entertainment for the day, as long as i get first choice on the LB buffet
RC,
You have the right to remain silent!
Us women and that sentence do not go hand in hand. you are right,you are full of ****
FF
xx
Rod said,
October 4, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
FF
Us women and that sentence do not go hand in hand
You’re absolutely right !
You’ll note it says have the right not can remain silent
Hence this from a previous post
Best
RC
Rod said,
December 19, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Update
sold for £10.6 million ( US $21,321,000)
Jordan said,
December 19, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Dang! I knew there was something i had to do - bid on the Magna Carta!
Missed out again, will have to check out Ebay!
Jordan
Rod said,
December 19, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
Jordan
fear not - I suspect there will be plenty going on ebay shortly, the Harry Potter first edition specialists should see to that
Jordan said,
December 19, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
And the Ian Fleming specialists, ad infinitum!